Take your studies to the next level with honors work
Honors ObjectivesÂ
Our Honors course variant offers:
Higher degree of involvement and participation
Higher standard of performance than expected of regular students
Advanced supplemental reading, especially of primary sources
More opportunities for writing, and at a higher standard
Stronger enhancement of skills in critical thinking, analysis and interpretation
Learn more about the Honors program here
Honors Coursework
In addition to completing all regular coursework, honors students will engage more deeply in our mock trials, and they will also draft persuasive motions, with supporting and opposing motions and briefs, to be submitted in electronic (Google Doc) or paper format. This will require each student to:
Consult with your professor to determine how you will engage in extra participation in our mock trials
Review our How to Draft & Support Motions slide show
Select and read three motion scenarios from those listed below, and using relevant statutes, constitutional provisions, jury instructions and case law, formulate legal arguments to analyze the legal issues presented in the scenarios.
For each selected scenario, and per the briefing schedule, draft:
an appropriate notice of motion, motion and proposed order
a supporting persuasive brief
a responsive brief
Meet with your professor each week (Zoom Q&A or after class on campus) to go over the status of your work
Motion Scenarios
People v. Awbrey - Human Trafficking - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
People v. Campbell - School Bombing - The pretrial issue in this case involves the First Amendment.
People v. Caufield - Carjacking - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on the 3 Strikes Law and due process.
People v. Clevenger - Computer Crimes and Vandalism - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.
People v. Cobey - Murder - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on the Fourth Amendment.
People v. Davidson - Murder - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on whether the government obtaining routinely collected GPS location data from a third-party GPS provider constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment.
People v Klein - Cyberbullying, Swatting - The pretrial issue in this case involves whether threatening speech is protected under the First Amendment.
People v. Matsumoto - Murder - The pretrial issue in this case focuses on the Fourth Amendment.
People v Palmer - Murder - The pretrial issue in this case involves the admissibility of novel expert testimony and evidence.
Briefing Schedule
First Notice of Motion, Motion, Proposed Order, Brief in Support and Responsive Brief due on 3/16
Second Notice of Motion, Motion, Proposed Order, Brief in Support and Responsive Brief due on 4/13
Third Notice of Motion, Motion, Proposed Order, Brief in Support and Responsive Brief due on 5/11
You may submit these documents on paper in class or via email, to smoller@sdccd.edu