This course is an advanced criminal law class in which we will be studying selected criminal law/procedure issues. The only prerequisite is having taken Criminal Law. Each week you will be asked to watch a particular episode of the long-running television series Law and Order. Although there are nearly 1000 episodes, we will be watching and discussing only a handful, each one chosen because it presents a useful starting point to discussions of law, trial strategy, and public policy. We will discuss the role of the courts, prosecutors, defense lawyers and police as they navigate a difficult and somewhat incoherent system. We will also discuss such the role of plea bargaining, novel theories of prosecution and defense, the role of different non-lawyer actors in the system and so much more. The class will meet twice a week for LAW 90 minutes. Classes will alternate between lectures and on-your-feet exercises, where a group of students will be "on panel," but in a slightly unusual way---they will be assigned roles in a scenario, and asked to carry out those roles by arguing for release or confinement at an arraignment, cross examining a witness, conducting voir dire or negotiating a proffer agreement...all with the participation and support of their fellow classmates, who will serve as judges, jurors, and, occasionally, clients. This is a class where students will get to sample not only the ideas of criminal law practice, but the feeling of lawyering: speaking, strategizing, and crafting beautiful arguments. For that reason, we invite students to only consider this course if collaborative, participatory learning is of special interest. All students will be expected to write a paper on a criminal law topic raised during the class in lieu of a final exam. Special Instructions: This course can satisfy the Research "R" requirement. The instructor and the student must agree whether the student will receive "R" credit. For "R" credit, the paper is substantial and is based on independent research. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (LAW 01) into section (LAW 02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Group Exercises, and Final Paper.
3 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
This course is an advanced criminal law class in which we will be studying selected criminal law/procedure issues. The only prerequisite is having taken Criminal Law. Each week you will be asked to watch a particular episode of the long-running television series Law and Order. Although there are nearly 1000 episodes, we will be watching and discussing only a handful, each one chosen because it presents a useful starting point to discussions of law, trial strategy, and public policy. We will discuss the role of the courts, prosecutors, defense lawyers and police as they navigate a difficult and somewhat incoherent system. We will also discuss such the role of plea bargaining, novel theories of prosecution and defense, the role of different non-lawyer actors in the system and so much more. The class will meet twice a week for 90 minutes. Classes will alternate between lectures and on-your-feet exercises, where a group of students will be "on panel," but in a slightly unusual way---they will be assigned roles in a scenario, and asked to carry out those roles by arguing for release or confinement at an arraignment, cross examining a witness, conducting voir dire or negotiating a proffer agreement...all with the participation and support of their fellow classmates, who will serve as judges, jurors, and, occasionally, clients. This is a class where students will get to sample not only the ideas of criminal law practice, but the feeling of lawyering: speaking, strategizing, and crafting beautiful arguments. For that reason, we invite students to only consider this course if collaborative, participatory learning is of special interest. All students will be expected to write a paper on a criminal law topic raised during the class in lieu of a final exam. Special Instructions: This course can satisfy the Research "R" requirement. The instructor and the student must agree whether the student will receive "R" credit. For "R" credit, the paper is substantial and is based on independent research. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Group Exercises, and Final Paper.
Offered in Winter 2027 at Stanford University.