Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.

Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.


230.2 sec. 001 - Police Interrogations and Investigations: A Comparative Perspective (Spring 2021)

Instructor: Charles D. Weisselberg  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
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Units: 2
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: Remote Instruction

Meeting:

Tu 08:00 AM - 09:50 AM
Location: Internet/Online
From January 19, 2021
To April 30, 2021

Course Start: January 19, 2021
Course End: April 30, 2021
Class Number: 32229

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 8
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 22
As of: 05/08 05:45 AM


The early stages of criminal investigations are often outcome-determinative, and this is true across nations, societies, and types of criminal justice systems. This course takes a comparative approach to the early stages of criminal investigations with a particular emphasis on investigations and interrogations by police and prosecutors. The seminar will cover some aspects of U.S. law and practice. But we will spend more time examining developments in other nations and systems.

We will begin with the context for criminal justice reforms, discussing the structure and function of governmental institutions, such as police, courts, prosecution and defense; regulation of police investigations; interrogation theory and practice; rates of crime; and various nations’ criminal justice priorities. This is a very interesting time to take a comparative approach. A number of countries in Latin America are moving from record-based forms of adjudication to oral trials. Japan adopted a lay judge system for certain serious cases, and is recording most interrogations. These reforms in the adjudicative process influence how investigations are conducted and evidence is collected. Decisions from the European Court of Human Rights, and directives from the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, are prompting changes in nations’ laws and investigative procedures in much of Europe. Criminal justice systems provide a lens through which to examine various nations’ values, cultures, and institutions.

A 12-18 page paper is required. First drafts of the paper are due March 18, and the final papers will be due May 10. Prior enrollment in Criminal Procedure-Investigations is suggested, but not required. Students with knowledge, experience or interest in other systems (including LL.M. students) are encouraged to enroll.

Requirements Satisfaction:


This is an Option 1 class; two Option 1 classes fulfill the J.D. writing requirement.


Exam Notes: (P) Final paper  
Course Category: Criminal Law
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
International and Comparative Law

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