NCJ Number
166771
Journal
Children's Legal Rights Journal Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1996) Pages: 23-30
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The ChildLaw Trial Practice Course at Loyola University Chicago School of Law covers the substantive and interpersonal issues involved in children's litigation as part of an interdisciplinary approach that provides a strong educational foundation for law graduates who want to practice law representing and advocating for children.
Abstract
The course was first taught at Loyola in January 1995. The faculty consists of experienced trial lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. The course is designed mainly for law students and also seeks to teach more effective advocacy skills to nonlegal professionals. It uses the general trial practice course format established over 20 years ago by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Case files and exercises focus entirely on issues in cases involving children and adolescents. These include the shaken baby syndrome, gang intimidation in a juvenile delinquency case, and child neglect. The course includes a faculty trial; faculty demonstrations and lectures on impeachment, cross examination, opening statements, and the use of exhibits; small group sessions focusing on trial fundamentals; a full trial conducted by students; and 4 days focusing on the role and use of expert testimony in children's litigation. Initial feedback has led to modifications in the course. The faculty plan to continue to use student and faculty feedback to improve the course. Reference notes