Non-Jury Trial Practicum

Student Experience

This course is about giving students the opportunity to conduct non-jury trials from start to finish. Students prepare and practice how to conduct these trials including direct examination, cross-examination, closing statements, and applying the rules of evidence in real-time, among other topics. Students will also plea bargain cases and respond to motions that arise during the semester.

The course has both a classroom and a courtroom component.

• Classroom time involves lecture, discussion, and trial simulation exercises.
• The courtroom component involves regular attendance at Ithaca City Court’s non-jury terms where students will conduct trials, plea bargain, and present motions.

In the Non-Jury Trial Practicum, students will study the following topics:

• Criminal law and procedure
• Prosecution ethics
• Trial strategy and preparation
• Trial conduct, including direct and cross-examination, and opening and closing statements
• Plea bargaining and professional judgment
• Proper responses to appeals and motions

Types of Cases

• Traffic tickets
• City code violations
• Non-felony penal law violations
• Other state and local law violations