Description:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to explain ethical rules and standards governing the legal profession, interview clients and witnesses, and perform factual investigation pursuant to legal proceedings. The emphasis will be on recognition of ethical problems commonly encountered, as well as the development of interviewing and investigating skills. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Assist in the legal process.
2. Implement legal procedures.
3. Perform legal research.
4. Perform communications functions.
5. Assist clients.
6. Perform investigative functions.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Assisting in the Legal Process
   A. Explain basic concepts and functions involved in the practice of
law.
   B. Explain ethical requirements applicable to lawyers and legal
assistants.
   C. Apply legal ethics.
   D. Differentiate between the functions of the lawyer and the legal
assistant.
   E. Identify applicable statutory privileges and immunities.

II. Implementing Legal Procedures
   A. Discuss rules of evidence and their relationship to formal and
informal discovery.
   B. Utilize various forms of formal discovery, including
interrogatories,  requests for productions, business records, and physical
and mental examinations.
   C. Explain elements of informal discovery.
   D. Prepare an informal discovery plan.
   E. Determine applicable legal theories.
   F. Perform fact analysis.
   G. Identify parties and entities.
   H. Identify property interests.
   I. Serve summons and complaints.

III. Performing Legal Research
   A. Identify appropriate methods and resources for legal research.
   B. Locate and use statutory and administrative legal resources.
   C. Locate and use case law.
   D. Perform computerized (electronic) legal research.

IV. Performing Communications Functions
   A. Explain basic communication concepts.
   B. Identify types of communication.
   C. Identify forms of nonverbal and verbal communication.
   D. Prepare various forms of written communication for internal and
external use.
   E. Identify special communication areas, including telephone
techniques, dictation for transcription, and electronic transmissions.

V. Assisting Clients
   A. Identify basic concepts applicable to the lawyer-client
relationship.
   B. Conduct client interviews.
   C. Perform post-interview communications.
   D. Gather information and documentation on behalf of clients.

VI. Performing Investigative Functions
   A. Identify basic investigative techniques.
   B. Use identification techniques to locate witnesses.
   C. Interview witnesses.
   D. Prepare witness statements, interview summaries, and evaluations.
   E. Deal with expert witnesses.
   F. Identify factors affecting documentary and physical evidence.
   G. Explain investigative procedures applicable to documentary and
physical evidence.
   H. Obtain and analyze documentary and physical evidence.
   I. Differentiate between public and private records.
   J. Access federal, state and local records.
   K. Explain the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
   L. Identify and access various types of private records.
   M. Identify various sources of information, including government
sources, private sources, libraries, databases, and Internet sites.
   N. Access print, multimedia and Internet sources of information.
   O. Evaluate materials obtained from sources of information.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A minimum of 3 examinations                  60% of grade
A minimum of 5 applications & assignments    40% of grade
                                            100%
   Grading Criteria:
   90%+ = A
   80% = B
   70% = C
   60% = D
   Below 60% = F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.