Law Schedule of Classes

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244.41 sec. 001 - Post Conviction Remedies (Fall 2023)

Instructor: Rudolph John Alejo  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

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

Meeting:

M 3:35 PM - 6:15 PM
Location: Law 134
From August 21, 2023
To December 04, 0023

Course Start: August 21, 2023
Course End: December 04, 0023
Class Number: 32176

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 19
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 21
As of: 02/07 02:03 PM


Criminal appeals and the “Great Writ” of habeas corpus are the two principal vehicles for challenging the government’s unlawful imprisonment of persons within its jurisdiction. This course will provide both a theoretical and intensely practical introduction to both areas of practice.

On the theoretical side, the course will examine the nature of, and differences between, direct appeal and habeas corpus; the various procedural bars on both state and federal habeas review of criminal convictions; the most common legal challenges to imprisonment including violation of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and the Fifth Amendment right to disclosure of all exculpatory evidence; and doctrinal limitations including federalism and finality of state judgments.

On the practical side, students will learn how to read a trial court record, spot and develop issues, investigate habeas claims, and draft both an opening brief and a habeas petition, including a statement of facts, a legal claim, and supporting declarations.

The class will use the record from a real murder case the instructors litigated together in 2013. In the beginning of the semester, students will be given the trial record in the case and will use that record for various exercises throughout the class. Readings will include important cases on habeas corpus, the scope of direct appeal, and statutory materials. Students will be graded on the quality of their classroom participation and written work.

We will also have various guest speakers, including prosecutors and exonerated defendants, who will provide different perspectives on the post-conviction process.


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:

This class may be counted as either an Option 1 class (two Option 1 classes satisfy the J.D. writing requirement) or units from this class may count toward the J.D. Experiential Requirement. This class may count for both requirements if and only if a student is electing Option 1 and the student's other Option 1 class being used to satisfy the J.D. writing requirement is not being counted towards any other requirement.

Student Services is available to answer questions.


Exam Notes: (None) Class requires a series of papers, assignments, or presentations throughout the semester
Course Category: Criminal Law
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Race and Law
Social Justice and Public Interest

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