National Micro Course
Course Information
- 50 hours of lecture will be conducted over the course of 7 days.
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Scholars will learn the substance of what is needed to defend a DWI case as well as how to apply that knowledge to prepare for and conduct a trial.
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Each day’s lecture will focus on a substantive topic and trial skills.
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During the course Scholars will attend a 24-hour National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student Course.
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The course will culminate in a mock trial of a DWI case. Each Scholar will have their performance recorded and critiqued by an instructor from the Institute.
Note: Completion of course will not qualify Scholar for year two of the program.
Register today by filling out this form.
Course Syllabus
August 5-7, 2021
Scholars attend a three-day National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student Course. This hands-on course will teach the Scholars using the same curriculum law enforcement officers are trained under. This course will be instructed by nationally renowned SFST expert Anthony Palacios with Trial Practice lectures by Steven Epstein.August 9, 2021
Morning session will include theory of case, story telling, jury selection and opening statements. Afternoon session will be on the cross examination of the arresting officer at both the pre-trial hearing and trial. Discussion will include how to tell your story by setting up a structure using the chapter method, establishing and maintaining control of the witness, and how to prepare for and cross examine the arresting officer.
August 10, 2021
In the morning session each Scholar shall prepare and present an opening statement from a given fact pattern and present it to the group in break out sections. Instruction will focus on the implementation of skills learned from lectures on theory of case and story telling. Afternoon session on the pharmacology of alcohol and the fundamentals of breath testing. The breath testing devices relevant to those used in the jurisdictions of each Scholar shall be discussed.
August 11, 2021
Morning session on the cross examination of the breath test operator. A sample cross will be conducted. Afternoon session on blood testing for alcohol and the basics of gas chromatography. Discussion will include discovery in a blood test case, how a blood sample is collected and tested and issues that may arise when cross examining a blood lab technician.
August 12, 2021
Morning session on summations. The discussion will focus on telling your story in summation to get the two-word verdict. Afternoon lectures on topics which will include bench trials, the ethical dilemma of representing the addicted client, and diversity, inclusion and the elimination of bias.
August 13-14, 2021
All Scholars will try a simulated bench trial in teams of two. Each Scholar will do either an opening or a summation. Each Scholar will direct and cross a witness. We will record each trial and each Scholar will have their performance critiqued by an instructor from the Institute.