Discipline: Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Paralegal Studies 87


COURSE DESCRIPTION
87 Trial Practice, Preparation, and Procedures Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Preparation and presentation of motions and mock jury trial. Actual pleading, discovery, briefs, and trial notebooks are prepared and used. The evidence code is reviewed and used at trial. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Preparation and presentation of motions and a mock jury trial including use of the evidence code.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Prepare appropriate pleadings (court documents), including the
      complaint and answer in a practice case.

2.   Prepare certain motions in accordance with the court rules.

3.   Argue appropriate motions to a judge pro tem in a mock court
      environment.

4.   Research the California Evidence Code and implement it at all
      mock court hearings.

5.   Conduct appropriate discovery (formal investigation) in the practice
      case to be used in the mock jury trial.

6.   Distinguish the issues in the practice case and ascertain the 
      position of opposition’s case to adequately prepare for the mock
      trial.

7.   Prepare a comprehensive written trial notebook for the mock trial 
      including written questions, outline of opening statement, summary
      of questions for witnesses, summary of evidence, summary of
      questions for cross examination of witnesses, and outline of 
      closing argument.

8.   Participate in an actual presentation of a mock jury trial.

9.   Produce legal documents using subject-related application software.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Trial Procedure
  2. Development of Pleadings, Discovery, and Briefs for Trial
  3. Preparation of Trial Notebooks
  4. Review Evidence Code
  5. Role Playing Both as Plaintiff and Defendants for Mock Trial
  6. Site Visit to Court
  7. Actual Presentation of Mock Court Case
  8. Hands-on Exercises Using Subject-Related Application Software
  9. Final Exam
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Multimedai
  • Case Studies
  • Role playing
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assignments
  • Trial notebooks
  • Legal drafts
  • Discussion/role playing
  • Objective-type examinations
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

12/06
1497