NCJ Number
81635
Date Published
Unknown
Length
168 pages
Annotation
This booklet is part of a training program for new judges of trial courts of record. It is a companion to a series of videotaped materials and provides brief introductions and complete texts of the 20 exercises dramatized on the tapes.
Abstract
Each exercise comprises 5 to 10 problems, presented by means of dramatized incidents derived from real cases. The problems cover a wide range of subjects from ethics to evidence, and their general format follows a new judge presiding over his first case from its preliminary assignment to the conclusion and repercussions. Although Virginia law and procedure are emphasized, most of the situations are applicable elsewhere. The topics represented by the exercises begin with judicial ethics, followed by pretrial conference (omnibus hearings), voir dire, and plea bargaining and taking the plea. Additional topics are relations with news media (including the conflict between a free trial and free press), the opening statement and presentation of the case, sequestration, judicial demeanor, and hearsay. Problems relating to competency, contempt, role of the judge in the trial, rulings and courtroom security, witnesses and jurors, and the expert witness are also presented. Still other problematic situations are illustrated with reference to the closing argument, the verdict, post-trial events, communication with prisoners, and judicial discretion. The booklet also contains supplementary material on the fictitious case, including the text of the indictment and presentence reports on the defendants. For accompanying videotapes, see NCJ 81636.