Topics

The details for the course, Criminal Practice (LEGW8106), apply to all of the following topics. Specific descriptions for Syllabus and Proposed Assessment that apply to each topic are detailed below.

Australian Capital territory

Syllabus

PLEASE NOTE:  information regarding workload, preliminary reading and prescribed texts is also included in this section.

Course Description:

This  intensive, onsite course is offered in Canberra for those with the intention to practise in criminal law, as defence advocates or prosecutors. The delivery is through interviewing of, and presentations from, people who work within our criminal justice system (for example, judiciary, prosecution, defence advocate, mental illness, corrections, forensic science, victim interests, police).

 This course has a strong 'practical' element requiring court visits before and after the intensive days, written 'reflective' critique on those visits, and 'advocacy' presentation. 

PLEASE NOTE: Enrolments are capped at 150.

Learning Outcomes:

Please refer to:

http://anulaw.anu.edu.au/sites/all/files/lpe_canberra_crim_prac_2012_ch1_0.pdf

Workload: 

• Approximately six hours pre-course on reading materials and attending court,
• Four week days on site, 9am - 5pm
• Approximately five hours to attend court and write a report. Reports are to be submitted within three weeks from the completion of the on-site intensive.

Preliminary Reading: 

Please refer to:

http://anulaw.anu.edu.au/sites/all/files/lpe_canberra_crim_prac2012ch2_0.pdf

Prescribed Texts: 

Hugh Selby,  Advocacy: Preparation and Performance, which can be obtained from the publisher:

http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862877443 .

Indicative Assessment

 Pass/fail on a simple advocacy exercise;  graded closed book multiple choice test on the final afternoon of the intensive, pass/fail on a post intensive report of a contested criminal hearing.

Academic Contact:

Hugh Selby, ANU Legal Workshop, ANU College of Law

Northern Territory

Syllabus

PLEASE NOTE:  Details regarding workloads, prescribed texts and preliminary reading are listed at the end of this section.

This 5 day intensive (Monday to Friday) course is offered once each year in September in Darwin. The course is designed for graduates preparing for legal practice who wish to build their knowledge and skills in criminal law practice for the defence and for the prosecution. The course addresses the APLEC Competencies for Criminal Law Practice while being jurisdictionally, procedurally and contextually specific to the Northern Territory. 

PLEASE NOTE: Enrolments are capped at 30.

Themes include:

• The context of criminal law practice
• The roles and professional responsibilities of criminal defence lawyers and prosecutors
• Roles of key criminal justice agencies and facilities in the NT
• Police powers and practices particularly: investigation, arrest, charging, bail, police witnesses
• Magistrates Court criminal lists: routines; procedures; court etiquette
• Bail applications, plea in mitigation, sentencing options
• Preparing a case for defended hearing – the defence and the prosecution
• Questioning in chief, cross examination, tender of exhibits, objecting
• Acting in matters where the accused is a young person; substance dependant; has a mental health problem
• Aboriginal justice issues including: Anunga rules; Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody; Aboriginal Interpreter Service; NT Intervention; diversion and sentencing
• Particular charges: traffic offences; drink driving; drug offences; charges arising from domestic violence or breach of a domestic violence restraining order
• Victims crime: giving evidence, court support, Crime Victim’s Compensation
• Complaints about police, corrections and other agencies
• Current issues in criminal law, links between practice, policy and reform.

The course has been offered each year since 2004 in partnership with the courts, local practitioners and agencies in Darwin. The course includes:

• demonstration and practice sessions led by local practitioners and workers in relevant local agencies
• simulated advising, case preparation and practice appearances by students.

Workshops are held at locations in the Darwin City area e.g. Magistrates Court, Supreme Court, NT DPP, Commonwealth DPP, NT Legal Aid, North Australian Justice Agency, counsels chambers, Mitchell Street Police Station.  The involvement of the NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service has been one of the highlights of the course. This includes the opportunity for students to practice working with Aboriginal interpreters.

Workload: 

• Approximately four hours pre course on reading materials
• Five days face-to-face intensive
• Approximately five hours to attend court and write report within five weeks of the intensive.

Prescribed Texts: 

There are no prescribed texts. Course materials will be available before the course begins for download via the Wattle area for the course.

Preliminary Reading: 

Students should skim the course materials before the intensive to familiarise themselves in a general way with the content.

 

 

Indicative Assessment

There are 4 assessable elements:

• Quality of participation in class discussion and exercises
• Exercise/s which involve taking instructions, giving advice and appearing (e.g. an application for bail / plea)
• Exercise which involves performance of examination ‘in chief’ and ‘cross-examination
• A reflective description of a summary criminal hearing which you observe after completing the intensive. The observation can be undertaken in the location / jurisdiction; it does not have to be undertaken in Darwin or in the NT.

 

Academic Contact:

Judy Harrison, ANU Legal Workshop, ANU College of Law

Western Australia

Syllabus

PLEASE NOTE:  Details regarding workloads, prescribed texts and preliminary reading are listed at the end of this section.

The course involves a partnership between the ANU Legal Workshop and Legal Aid Western Australia. The current course is delivered by Legal Aid WA as a 5 day intensive (Monday to Friday) course. It is offered once a year in March in Perth.

The course meets the Australasian Professional Legal Education Council’s (APLEC) Competencies for Entry Level Lawyers in respect of Criminal Practice.

PLEASE NOTE: Enrolments are capped at 35.

Learning Outcomes:

Please refer to:

http://anulaw.anu.edu.au/sites/all/files/lpe_wa_crim_course_outline_2012.pdf

Workload:

• Approximately six hours pre-course on reading materials
• All participants are also encouraged to observe a Magistrates Court criminal trial before commencing the course.
• Five days face-to-face intensive

Preliminary Reading:

See course materials below.

 

Prescribed Texts:

There are no prescribed texts. Course materials will be sent to enrolled students before the commencement of the course.

 

 

Indicative Assessment

In order to successfully complete the Criminal Practice WA course a participant must:

• Attend and participate in practical activities and assessments, and
• Demonstrate competency in relation to the APLEC standards for Criminal Practice.

 

Academic Contact:

Judy Harrison, ANU Legal Workshop, ANU College of Law

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.