Comprehensive Criminal Process

Perhaps the most basic grievance that led to the Declaration of Independence was that concerning searches and seizures. The enforcement of the Stamp Act by means of writs of assistance aroused the colonists against the British. When the Bill of Rights was passed, a prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures was one of its most fundamental provisions. It is thus not surprising that Fourth Amendment law is the subject to which the Supreme Court has devoted a great deal of attention. A close second, in terms of both its importance to the Bill of Rights and to today& 039;s Supreme Court, has the right against self-incrimination(though not so much recently). It is with these two constitutional rights that the course is concerned. The expanded course will also cover such post-indictment subjects as the defendant s right to effective assistance of counsel at trial, right to discover exculpatory information and the right to confront witnesses. Criminal Procedure cases make up about 90% of the petitions to the Supreme Court and are among the most common subjects of Supreme Court (and all court) decisions. Consequently, a solid grounding in this field is essential to a well rounded legal education. It is of particular importance to students contemplating a judicial clerkship. Also, it is important for all bar exams, including Indiana& 039;s.