633 Interrogations and Testimony Seminar

This seminar will address the law of questioning in the criminal justice process. We will consider the obligations of suspects, witnesses, law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense counsel when evidence is developed through investigation and testimony. Topics include the protections that arise from the Fifth and Sixth Amendments and their role in police interrogations and trials; the nature and purpose of "confession" in the criminal justice process; the impact of advances in lie detection on criminal procedure; liability for false statements; credibility, impeachment, and the role of cross examination; eyewitness identifications; the use of informants; grants of immunity; and prosecutorial discovery obligations. Course evaluation will be based on written work and class participation. Each student will be responsible for leading one of our weekly discussions. The writing component is designed to accommodate both students with a general interest in the subject area and students who are developing a research agenda in criminal law and procedure. Accordingly, students may elect to write five short papers based on the assigned readings or to complete a sustained research project.

Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research paper, 25+ pages
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Seminar
Learning Outcomes
  • Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Spring 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

633.01 2 Lisa Kern Griffin

This seminar will address the law of questioning in the criminal justice process. We will consider the obligations of suspects, witnesses, law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense counsel when evidence is developed through investigation and testimony. Topics include the protections that arise from the Fifth and Sixth Amendments and their role in police interrogations and trials; the nature and purpose of "confession" in the criminal justice process; the impact of advances in lie detection on criminal procedure; liability for false statements; credibility, impeachment, and the role of cross examination; eyewitness identifications; the use of informants; grants of immunity; and prosecutorial discovery obligations. Course evaluation will be based on written work and class participation. Each student will be responsible for leading one of our weekly discussions. The writing component is designed to accommodate both students with a general interest in the subject area and students who are developing a research agenda in criminal law and procedure. Accordingly, students may elect to write five short papers based on the assigned readings or to complete a sustained research project.

Degree Requirements
Pre/Co-requisites
None

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.