Capital Punishment (696e)

This course will be an advanced critical study of capital punishment. It will analyze the basic structure and process of existing death penalty law, including: The decision to pursue a capital case; efforts to limit arbitrariness in sentencing; the trial process and roles of counsel, judges, juries and victims; an examination of sentencing issues; and an examination of the appellate and post-conviction review process and related practical issues. It will also examine public policy issues related to death penalty law, as well as ethical issues facing attorneys involved in prosecuting and defending capital cases at trial and on appeal.