- Types of criminal court proceedings that may be observed include preliminary hearings, arraignments, guilty pleas, motions hearings (including motions to suppress, Brady motions, motions to sever where multiple defendants are charged, motions to change venue, motions to dismiss the criminal charges based on various grounds, and motions for a new trial), criminal trial calendars (containing at least guilty pleas if not trials), misdemeanor bench trials, misdemeanor jury trials, felony bench trials, felony jury trials, and criminal appellate oral arguments before appellate courts. To find a criminal court proceeding you can observe, suggest you talk to the Clerk of the Court you wish to observe and explain about your Writing Assignment requirement. Most Clerks of Court will be very helpful as they want everyone to know about the judicial system. Observation can be of city courts, county courts, state courts, state appellate courts, federal courts, and federal appellate courts. The specific names for the courts may vary from state to state and from county to county. The Instructor would prefer that everyone observe an actual criminal court proceeding. If for some reason you are unable to observe an actual criminal court proceeding, you may satisfy this requirement by basing your Writing Assignment on the viewing of one of two movies, “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “My Cousin Vinny”, both of which movies should be readily available. Your Writing Assignment MUST include the following elements:
The name of the Court (or the Movie) observed.
2. A description of the type(s) of criminal court proceeding(s) observed.
3. For each and every stage of the criminal court proceeding observed describe how it is similar to how it is described in the textbook.
4. For each and every stage of the criminal court proceeding observed describe how it is different from how it is described in the textbook.
