The Criminal Law Lab is designed to teach students to manage a simulated criminal case. As a part of Elon University’s experiential learning curriculum, the Lab is taught by practicing lawyers in Guilford County.
Week 1 - Structure of Criminal Courts in North Carolina and Roles of a Defense Attorney and Prosecutor
Before Class
Read the Preamble of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and Rule 1.3 and Rule 3.8.
Common Documents
Resources
Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court: (336) 412-7300 Located on UG floor of the Guilford County Courthouse at 201 S Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Week 2 - Overview of a Criminal Case from Arrest to Disposition
Common documents
Resources
Crime-of-the-Week
Week 3 - Pretrial Incarceration
Common documents
Resources
Class Exercise
Bond Motion Simulation (Do Not Read Instructions Below Until You Have Been Assigned a Role in Class)
Crime of the Week
Obtaining Property by False Pretenses - North Carolina General Statute 14-100
North Carolina Pattern Jury Instruction 219.10 - Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
Week 4 - Substantive Offenses
COMMON Documents
North Carolina General Statute 14-87 - Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
North Carolina Pattern Jury Instruction 217.20 - Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon (Firearm)
North Carolina Pattern Jury Instruction 217.30 - Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon (Non-Firearm)
Resources
North Carolina General Statutes Chapters 8, 14, 15, 15A, and 20.
Crime of the Week
Week 5 - Interviewing Witnesses and Discovery
Common Documents
Resources
Class Exercise
Interview Simulation (Do Not Read Instructions Below Until You Have Been Assigned a Role in Class)
Crime of the Week
Week 6 - Understanding a Sentencing Grid
Common Documents
Resources
Class Exercise
2021 Exercise: Click on the criminal record level worksheet above and fill it out online based on the following information:
Defendant Information
Reed Richards, DOB 4/14/1978
Case Information
Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, Guilford County, Case Number 21CRS123456
Prior Convictions
1/10/1998
Resisting a Public Officer - Class 2 Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana - Class 3 Misdemeanor
4/15/2001
Felony Breaking and Entering - Class H Felony
Misdemeanor Larceny - Class 1 Misdemeanor
5/28/2005
Fishing Without a License - Class 3 Misdemeanor
6/22/2009
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon - Class G Felony
3/02/2018
Assault on a Female - Class A1 Misdemeanor
CRIME OF THE WEEK
Week 7 - Plea Negotiations
Common Documents
Resources
CLASS EXERCISE
Split into pairs and assign roles of prosecutor and defense attorney. Negotiate plea arrangements for the five defendants.
After Class Assignment
Bar Essay Question - Due by 5:30 PM on Week 8
Week 8 - Sentencing
Common Documents
Resources
CLASS EXERCISE
Split into groups of three and assign each member one of the following roles. Read the instructions for your role only.