1. A brief lecture concerning the rich heritage of the American legal system.

2. What is practical law? It is part of the field of study known as jurisprudence – or the study of law and legal philosophy. How does this course fit into the definition of jurisprudence? Goals of the American legal system: Protecting basic human rights Promoting fairness Helping resolve conflicts Promoting order and stability Representing the will of the majority Protecting the rights of minorities

3. The Big Question A brief review of history: Our judicial heritage Conservative by nature Providence Precedence The rule of law in American society The Supremacy of the Law The Creation o f the law Examples of the rule of law

4. The Knock on my front door The voir dire process To speak the truth Create a list of five questions Courtroom etiquette and antics Responsibility of the Trier of Fact - Duty of the juror A personal CSI episode – Meet Paul Dennis Reid Circumstantial evidence versus Direct evidence Corroborating evidence TBIs big mistake mens reus and actus reus Jury psychology and ideology Does it really matter? Clarksville, TN An anniversary to remember

5. Conclusion… Drinks with the judge Judge Sam Gassaway Hi Tone tonight? To speak the truth? Steve Earle A song entitled Billy Austin The professor and his protégé Concerning unwarranted knocks on the door… OK…but youre not going to like it.

6. A few of my favorite things… The rule of four The means by which writs of certiorari are granted by the Supreme Court The adversarial system Head-to-head competition The best team wins Jury duty …by an impartial jury of the state or district wherein the crime shall have been committed. Free speech Dissenting opinions from the Supreme Court