Academic Calendar 2004
(New Academic Choices)

The area of concentration in Criminal Law is designed for students interested in the theory and practice of criminal law. It allows students to develop their knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and sentencing and to develop practical skills in the handling of criminal case files.

Students are selected for the program on the basis of a written application to the Director of the area of concentration at the end of their first year of study. A student may withdraw at any time from this area of concentration. Students in the area of concentration: Criminal Law are guaranteed a place in the courses that make up the Area of Concentration. However, students must bid sufficient points to ensure enrollment in the section of Evidence of their choosing. Subject to this limitation, any student may take any criminal law course offered by the Faculty.

Students in the Area of Concentration: Criminal Law are required to complete the following courses:

414. Evidence -- 4 credits
479. Criminal Procedure -- 4 credits

447. Criminal Law Advocacy -- 3 credits

316. Sentencing -- 3 credits

309. Advanced Criminal Law -- 4 credits
492. Advanced Evidence -- 3 credits
---. January Term/Special Topic course -- TBA (approved by the Director of the area of concentration)

Sentencing and Advanced Evidence may be offered on an alternating basis every other year. In the year in which Advanced Evidence is offered, Area of Concentration students in their second year should bid sufficient points to ensure their enrollment in the Fall term of Evidence if they wish to enroll in Advanced Evidence.

Students are required as part of the Criminal Law Advocacy course to complete one hour a week as duty counsel at UWO Community Legal Services (CLS) and to take carriage of three of the Clinic's criminal case files under the supervision of CLS lawyers. Every effort will be made to ensure that the three files include at least one client intake and a guilty plea or a contested trial.