Law Schedule of Classes

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


246.1 sec. 001 - Criminal Trial Practice (Fall 2021)

Instructor: Charles M Denton  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

Tu 6:25 PM - 9:05 PM
Location: Law 140
From August 17, 2021
To November 21, 2021

Course Start: August 17, 2021
Course End: November 21, 2021
Class Number: 31370

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 16
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 16
As of: 01/25 05:06 PM


This course focuses on the courtroom application of criminal law principles and practices. Students will prepare and present opening statements, direct and cross examination, documentary and demonstrative evidence, and closing arguments. They will also gain a practical understanding of common issues in criminal law, including bail, sentencing, preliminary hearings, ethics, misconduct, objections and motions to suppress.

The format will be hands-on and participatory, and the emphasis will be on learning practical techniques for shaping the evidence, using the law, and exploiting the courtroom to create a coherent and convincing case theory. All performances will be videotaped and the course will culminate in a half-day jury trial.

All students interested in enrollment should be present for both the first and second classes. Final trials will be Friday, November 19 - Sunday, November 21.

Instructor Biography: Charles Denton is in his 38th year as an attorney with the Alameda County Public Defender's Office. Nearly all of that time has been spent in the courtroom. Mr. Denton has litigated hundreds of motions and hearings and has tried nearly every kind of criminal case -- from drunk driving to the death penalty. He is one of the most prolific lecturers on trial practice and criminal litigation in the state and a well-recognized expert on criminal law and procedure. He is currently the author of Criminal Defense Jury Instructions: California Criminal Jury Charges. For nearly a decade, he was one of the principal authors of California Continuing Education of the Bar's Recent Developments in Criminal Law Practice as well as a contributor to their California Criminal Law: Procedure and Practice. He is currently one of the authors of California: Criminal Sentencing Enhancements. His written manuals and practice guides are highly acclaimed and widely published, and he is the past president of the California Public Defender's Association, its current training coordinator and the recipient of its 2020 Defender of the Year award. This is Mr. Denton's 25th year teaching at Berkeley Law.


Attendance at the first class is mandatory for all currently enrolled and waitlisted students; any currently enrolled or waitlisted students who are not present on the first day of class (without prior permission of the instructor) will be dropped. The instructor will continue to take attendance throughout the add/drop period and anyone who moves off the waitlist into the class must continue to attend or have prior permission of the instructor in order not to be dropped.


Requirements Satisfaction:


Units from this class count towards the J.D. Experiential Requirement.


Exam Notes: (T) Course ends in a final practice trial, arguments, or other presentation (e.g. Powerpoint)
Course Category: Simulation Courses
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Criminal Law

If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment to this page.

Readers:
A reader will be used in this class.

Books:
Required Books are in blue

  • California Evidentiary Foundations
    Imwinkelreid, Edward & Leach, Thomas
    Edition: 5th ed., 2020
    Publisher: Lexis Nexis
    ISBN: 9781522185918
    e-Book Available: Yes
    e-Book procurement note: https://store.lexisnexis.com/products/skuusSku7222?utm_campaign=1-6839968871_2019-Publishing-Report_1-5993896601&utm_medium=literature&utm_source=pub+report&utm_term=Mkt+Print&utm_content=LW
    Price: $162.00
    Price Source: user provided
  • Modern Trial Advocacy Analysis & Practice: Law School Fourth Edition (NITA)
    Lubet, Steven
    Edition: Fourth Edition
    Publisher: NITA
    ISBN: 9781601565730
    e-Book Available: Yes
    e-Book procurement note: https://www.vitalsource.com/products/modern-trial-advocacy-steve-lubet-v9781601565747
    Copyright Date: To Be Determined
    Price: 79.95
    Price Source: user provided

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