MSP 5250 Seminar in Understanding the Judicial System

This course will examine the anatomy of both a civil lawsuit and a criminal prosecution, with emphasis on the tactical, strategic, and ethical decisions made by judges and attorneys throughout the process. The seminar will include discussion of the jurisdiction of many courts, the appellate structure, both procedural and evidentiary rules of the courts, and demonstration of particular trial skills exercised by attorneys. Students will gain knowledge of the judicial process from the occurrence of an event until the final adjudication of the corresponding legal actions arising from the event.