LAW 333 - Plea Bargaining: Theory and Practice

It is axiomatic that without plea bargaining our criminal justice system would collapse under its own weight. Every attorney whose practice involves even a small portion of criminal law must bargain for pleas. Yet practitioners have few options to train and learn this essential art before becoming emersed in it.
This course will provide instruction on the essential skills of successful plea bargaining, including:
• Case evaluation
• Assessing the client’s best interests
• Client control
• Gauging the opposition
• Negotiating and striking a bargain
• Predicting judicial reaction
Students will participate in role-playing scenarios designed to develop these skills and test their flexibility and creativity. They will learn how to negotiate obstacles commonly encountered, and the importance and value of professionalism and resiliency in the plea bargaining process. This is a pass/fail course