CPI1197 | Criminal Procedure – Investigations [Clinical Course]

Course Description: This course is designed to focus on the front-end of the criminal process — investigations. Prior knowledge of criminal procedure and evidence are prerequisites for students to enroll. While an overview of the entire criminal process is on offer, we plan to get into the weeds only for the part ranging from the starting of a case till completion of the police (or other agency’s) investigation. In doing so, the course offers a nod to how many schools in other countries break up teaching of criminal procedure by separating investigations and trials. Unlike these countries, the focus will not be only on a defendant but also include perspectives of complainants / victims in cases (albeit, with a heavier focus on defendants). It is a clinical course offering a practical perspective on issues and so will primarily rely upon cases, statutes, and materials from existing litigation available with the instructor, but at the same time urging students to think deeper about the various issues which is often not possible when one is actually in the thick of things pursuing relief for clients.