Course Description

• Demonstrate and illustrate a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system from arrest through trial and post conviction proceedings, both at the state and federal levels.
• Give a general explanation of and apply the law relating to searches, seizures, and warrants.
• Explain, organize and evaluate the roles of the criminal court attorneys, paralegals, judges, police and corrections personnel, and police investigation techniques.
• Summarize, interpret and discuss the criminal court pretrial proceedings, trials, post-convictions proceedings as well as the remedies and correction appeals processes.
• Recall, interpret and analyze the basic rules of legal professional responsibility, ethics and confidentiality as it relates to the criminal law field.
• Interpret, use, analyze and evaluate the Minnesota Criminal Statutes, Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
• Explain and analyze the specific Constitutional limitations on criminal law and procedure.

1. Introduction to Constitutional Law and the Criminal Courts. (2 Hours)
2. Investigation concerning rights of accused, constitutionality of search warrants, expectations of privacy, etc. (3 Hours)
3. Procedure upon arrest including custodial interrogations, charging instruments from tab charge to indictment including appropriate statutes and rules of criminal procedure. (3 Hours)
4. Procedure followed concerning initial appearances, bail hearings, discovery
   and notices for discovery. Includes case law and appropriate statutes. (3 Hours)
5. Notices and motions including notices of defenses, omnibus and pretrial hearings
   regarding suppression of evidence and other constitutional issues. (3 Hours)
6. Entering of pleas including associated rules and statutes. Case law and statutes concerning issues of serialized prosecution, and competency issues.
   (3 Hours)
7. Materials on venue, jurisdiction, and pretrial prejudicial publicity. (1 Hour)
8. Preparation for trial including paralegal’s role from voir dire through final argument, with associated rules of criminal procedure and case law.
   (6 Hours)
9. Rules of evidence concerning pretrial through trial issues with associate rules and case law. Paralegal’s role in the preparation for trial including witness control and scheduling issues. (3 Hours)
10. Sentencing guidelines and considerations including departures and social considerations. (5 Hours)

Total Semester Hours: 32 Hours

NOTE: All of the above categories include ethical considerations for paralegals involved with prosecution, defense, legislative considerations, etc.