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Table of Contents
100. Pretrial
Charging Process
101. Jurisdiction
101.1 –
Jurisdiction: Territorial, Personal, & Subject Matter
101.2 –
Challenges to Jurisdiction
101.3 –
Jurisdiction of Officers and Judicial Officials
102. Venue
102.1 –
Rules for Determining Venue
102.2 –
Challenges and Motions to Change Venue
103. Criminal Pleadings
103.1 –
Types of Criminal Pleadings
103.2 –
Common Pleading Defects
103.3 –
Larceny and RDO Pleading Defects
103.4 –
Amending, Replacing or Recharging
104. Double Jeopardy
104.1 –
Summary of the Law
104.2 –
Punishment
104.3 –
Mistrial, Retrial and Appeal
104.4 –
Collateral Estoppel
104.5 –
Ex Post Facto
105. Selective Prosecution
106. Grand Jury Proceedings
107. Victims' Rights
Early Stages
110. Initial Appearance/First Appearance
110.1 –
Overview and Summary
110.2 –
Suggested Procedures
111. Right to Counsel
111.1 –
Overview
111.2 –
Suggestions for Handling Indigent Cases
111.3 –
When Right to Counsel Applies
111.4 –
Determining Indigency
111.5 –
Experts/Resources for Indigent Defendants
111.6 –
Limitations on the Right to Counsel
111.7 –
Waiver/Forfeiture of Right to Counsel
112. Pretrial Release
112.1 –
Eligibility and Conditions
112.2 –
Modification and Revocation
113. Communicable Diseases
113.1 –
Detaining and Testing Defendants
113.2 –
Prosecuting Violations
114. Extradition
114.1 –
Overview and Process
114.2 –
Interstate Compact and Detainers
114.3 –
Common Issues and Questions
115. Calendaring and Docketing Duties
116. Private Prosecutors
117. Arraignment
117.1 –
Procedure for Arraignment
117.2 –
Waiver of Arraignment
118. Probable Cause Hearing
118.1 –
Summary and Overview
118.2 –
Probable Cause Hearing Procedures
119. Discovery
119.1 –
Defendant’s Discovery Rights
119.2 –
State’s Discovery Rights
119.3 –
Obligations, Remedies, and Sanctions
120. Nontestimonial Identification Orders
121. Failure to Appear
121.1 –
FTA, OFA, and V/L
121.2 –
Reinstatement of a V/L Case
Before Trial
130. Capacity to Proceed
130.1 –
Basic Requirements and Overview
130.2 –
Determining Capacity to Proceed
130.3 –
Next Steps After Capacity Evaluation
130.4 –
Suggested Questions for Mental Health Expert
131. Suppression Motions
131.1 –
Content & Statutory Requirements
131.2 –
Hearing & Burden of Proof
131.3 –
Rulings & Appeals
132. Joinder and Severance
132.1 –
Offenses and Defendants
132.2 –
Severance and Bruton Issues
133. Guilty Pleas and Plea Agreements
133.1 –
Negotiation and Terms
133.2 –
Entry and Enforcement of Plea
133.3 –
Grants of Immunity
134. Deferral and Discharge Agreements
134.1 –
General Offenses
134.2 –
Drugs and Specific Offenses
135.1 Motions In Limine
136. Speedy Trial Motions
136.1 –
Constitutional and Statutory Protections
136.2 –
Procedure, Hearings, Burden of Proof
136.3 –
Prisoners and Interstate Detainers
200. Trial
Special Topics
201. Alleging & Proving Prior Convictions
201.1 –
Pleadings and Types
201.2 –
Court Procedure and Proof
201.3 –
Punishment and Sentencing
202.1 State’s Election of Offenses at Trial
203.1 Recusal of Judge/Prosecutor
204. Contempt
204.1 –
Which Type: Criminal or Civil?
204.2 –
Criminal Contempt
204.3 –
Civil Contempt
205.1 Prosecuting a Business or Organization
Witnesses and Subpoenas
210. Subpoena to Produce Documents
210.1 –
Contents and Basic Procedure
210.2 –
Out-of-State or Confidential Records
210.3 –
Objections & Compliance
211. Securing Attendance of Witnesses
211.1 –
Generally
211.2 –
Out-of-State Witnesses
211.3 –
Defendants and Witnesses in Custody
212.1 Sequestering a Witnesses
In Trial
220.1 Recording Trial Proceedings
221. Duties/Conduct of Trial Judge
221.1 –
Must Be Fair and Impartial
221.2 –
Control the Courtroom and Proceedings
222. Defendant’s Rights in Court
222.1 –
Right to Be Present
222.2 –
Appear in Civilian Clothing, Free of Restraints
222.3 –
Right to Confront, Testify, Allocute
223. Jury Selection
223.1 –
Right to Jury Trial, Waiver
223.2 –
Juror Qualifications
223.3 –
Voir Dire Scope and Topics
223.4 –
Challenges and Excusing Jurors
224.1 Opening Statement
225. Witness Examinations
225.1 –
Overview, Competency and Qualifications
225.2 –
Direct Examination of Witnesses
225.3 –
Special Topics and Issues
225.4 –
Cross-examination
226.1 Rebuttal Evidence
227.1 Motion to Dismiss: Insufficient Evidence
228. Closing Argument to Jury
228.1 –
Procedure
228.2 –
Basic Guidelines, Correcting Errors
228.3 –
Permissible Topics
228.4 –
Impermissible Topics
229. Custody of Evidence
229.1 –
During and After Trial
229.2 –
Disposition & Disposal of Evidence
Deliberation and Verdict
240.1 Jury Instructions
241. Jury Procedures
241.1 –
Jury Procedures During Trial
241.2 –
Juror Misconduct
242. Jury Verdict
242.1 –
Requirements and Types
242.2 –
Unanimity, Inconsistency & Challenges
243. Mistrial
243.1 –
Procedure and Effects
243.2 –
Grounds for Mistrial
300. Sentencing
Basic Law/Rules
301.1 Felony Sentencing
302.1 Misdemeanor Sentencing
303.1 DWI Sentencing
304. Sentencing Issues
304.1 –
Fines, Costs, and Restitution
304.2 –
Sex Crimes
304.3 –
Multiple Convictions
304.4 –
Jail Credit and Sentence Reductions
304.5 –
Deferrals and Conditional Discharges
304.6 –
Work Release
304.7 –
Purposes of Sentencing
304.8 –
Obtaining Additional Information
305.1 Probation
306.1 Felony Sentencing Grids
307.1 Misdemeanor Sentencing Grids
308.1 DWI Punishment Charts
309.1 Drug Trafficking
310. Sentencing Appendices
310.1 –
Felony Offense Classification Table
310.2 –
Misdemeanor Offense Classification Table
310.3 –
Aggravating Factors
310.4 –
Mitigating Factors
310.5 –
Offenses Covered by CVRA
310.6 –
Crimes Requiring Sex Offender Registration
310.7 –
Place of Confinement
310.8 –
Special Sentencing Rules
Related Topics
320.1 Conducting the Sentencing Hearing
321.1 Sentencing Errors and Corrections
322.1 Prayer for Judgment Continued
323. Forfeiture of Property
323.1 –
Proceeds and Specific Offenses
323.2 –
Drug Offenses
323.3 –
Sample Motions and Orders
400. Appeals & Relief
Appeals & Remands
401.1 Defendant's Right to Appeal
402.1 State's Right to Appeal
403.1 Withdrawal, Remand, & Resentence
Other Relief
410.1 Expunctions
411.1 Motions for Appropriate Relief
412.1 Habeas Corpus
413.1 Innocence Commission
500. Juvenile Prosecutions
Investigating & Charging
501.1 Basic Concepts, Recent Changes to Laws
502.1 Jurisdiction and Venue
503.1 Authority Over Parent or Guardian
504. Investigation
504.1 –
Juvenile Custody and Questioning
504.2 –
Juvenile Identification Procedures
505. Complaints and Petitions
505.1 –
Complaint & Petition Process
505.2 –
Defects and Amendments
506.1 Discovery in Juvenile Court
Hearings
510.1 First Appearance
511.1 Secure Custody Hearing
512.1 Pretrial Motions & Continuances
513.1 Probable Cause Hearing
514.1 Transfer Hearing
515.1 Admission or Adjudication
Disposition and Appeal
520. Disposition
520.1 –
Calculating Disposition Level
520.2 –
Disposition Options
520.3 –
Disposition Hearing
520.4 –
Juvenile Probation
520.5 –
Commitment
520.6 –
Juvenile Sex Offender Registration
521.1 Juvenile Appeals
522.1 Interstate Compact For Juveniles
523.1 Juvenile Records
600. Expert Testimony
General Topics
601.1 Reliability, Admissibility, and Daubert
602. Procedure and Overview
602.1 –
Qualifications, Presentation, & Guidelines
602.2 –
Sample Questions: Generic
603.1 Crawford, Substitute Analyst
Expert Testimony by Subject
Chemical
610. Forensic Drug Analysis
610.1 –
Law & Issues
610.2 –
Suggested Questions
611. Gunshot Residue Test
611.1 –
Law and Issues
611.2 –
Suggested Questions
612. HGN
612.1 –
Law and Issues
612.2 –
Suggested Questions
613. Retrograde Extrapolation
613.1 –
Law and Issues
613.2 –
Suggested Questions
Medical
620. Cause of Death/Autopsy
620.1 –
Law and Issues
620.2 –
Suggested Questions
621. DNA Evidence
621.1 –
Law and Issues
621.2 –
Suggested Questions
622. Hair Analysis
622.1 –
Law and Issues
622.2 –
Suggested Questions
623. Blood/Bodily Fluids Identification
623.1 –
Law and Issues
623.2 –
Suggested Questions
624. Bite Mark Analysis
624.1 –
Law and Issues
624.2 –
Suggested Questions
625.1 Blood Spatter Analysis
626.1 Child Sexual Assault Exam
Physical
640. Fingerprint Identification
640.1 –
Law and Issues
640.2 –
Suggested Questions
641. Footprints, Shoes & Tire Tracks
641.1 –
Law and Issues
641.2 –
Suggested Questions
642. Firearms/Tool Mark Identification
642.1 –
Law and Issues
642.2 –
Suggested Questions
643. Fiber Analysis
643.1 –
Law and Issues
643.2 –
Suggested Questions
644. Dog Tracking
644.1 –
Law and Issues
644.2 –
Suggested Questions
645.1 Handwriting Analysis
646.1 Fire/Arson Investigation
647.1 Accident Reconstruction
Mental
660.1 Use of Force, Self-Defense
661.1 Crime and Criminal Practices
662.1 Eyewitness Identification
663.1 Polygraphs, Plethysmography, and Witness Credibility
664.1 Repressed Memories and Hypnosis
700. Evidence
Rules
701. General Provisions [Rules 101 – 106]
701.1 –
Scope of the Rules [Rule 101]
701.2 –
Purpose and Construction [Rule 102]
701.3 –
Rulings on Evidence [Rule 103]
701.4 –
Preliminary Questions [Rule 104]
701.5 –
Limited Admissibility [Rule 105]
701.6 –
Rule of Completeness [Rule 106]
702.1 Judicial Notice [Rule 201]
703. Relevance and Prejudice [Rules 401 – 412]
703.1 –
Relevance & Admissibility [Rules 401, 402]
703.2 –
Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time [Rule 403]
703.3 –
Character Generally [Rule 404(a)]
703.4 –
Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts [Rule 404(b)]
703.5 –
Proving Character [Rule 405]
703.6 –
Habit or Routine Practice [Rule 406]
703.7 –
Plea Offers and Negotiations [Rule 410]
703.8 –
Victim's Past Sexual Behavior [Rule 412]
704.1 Privileges [Rule 501]
705. Witnesses and Testimony [Rules 601 – 615]
705.1 –
Competency of Witnesses [Rule 601]
705.2 –
Personal Knowledge [Rule 602]
705.3 –
Impeachment: General [Rule 607]
705.4 –
Impeachment: Character & Conduct [Rule 608]
705.5 –
Impeachment: Prior Conviction [Rule 609]
705.6 –
Impeachment: Religious Beliefs [Rule 610]
705.7 –
Mode and Order of Testimony [Rule 611]
705.8 –
Refreshing Recollection [Rule 612]
705.9 –
Prior Statements [Rule 613]
705.10 –
Questioning by the Court [Rule 614]
705.11 –
Exclusion of Witnesses [Rule 615]
706. Expert Testimony/Opinions [Rules 701 – 706]
706.1 –
Lay Opinion [Rule 701]
706.2 –
Expert Testimony [Rule 702]
706.3 –
Basis of Opinion [Rule 703]
706.4 –
Ultimate Issue [Rule 704]
706.5 –
Underlying Facts/Data [Rule 705]
706.6 –
Court-Appointed Expert [Rule 706]
707. Hearsay [Rules 801 – 806]
707.1 –
Hearsay: Definition & Admissibility [Rules 801, 802]
707.2 –
Admission of Party Opponent [Rule 801(d)]
707.3 –
Double Hearsay [Rule 805]
707.4 –
Declarant’s Credibility [Rule 806]
708. Hearsay Exceptions [Rule 803]
708.1 –
Availability Immaterial [Rule 803]
708.2 –
Present Sense Impression [Rule 803(1)]
708.3 –
Excited Utterance [Rule 803(2)]
708.4 –
Mental/Physical Condition [Rule 803(3)]
708.5 –
Medical Diagnosis/Treatment [Rule 803(4)]
708.6 –
Recorded Recollection [Rule 803(5)]
708.7 –
Business Records [Rule 803(6)]
708.8 –
Absence of Records [Rule 803(7)]
708.9 –
Public Records [Rule 803(8)]
708.10 –
Commercial Publications [Rule 803(17)]
708.11 –
Learned Treatises [Rule 803(18)]
708.12 –
Reputation as to Character [Rule 803(21)]
708.13 –
“Other Exceptions” [Rule 803(9-23)]
709. Hearsay Exceptions [Rule 804]
709.1 –
Declarant Unavailable [Rule 804(a)]
709.2 –
Former Testimony [Rule 804(b)(1)]
709.3 –
Dying Declaration [Rule 804(b)(2)]
709.4 –
Statement Against Interest [Rule 804(b)(3)]
709.5 –
Personal or Family History [Rule 804(b)(4)]
709.6 –
Residual Exceptions [Rules 803(24), 804(b)(5)]
710. Authentication [Rules 901 – 903]
710.1 –
Requirements, Methods [Rule 901]
710.2 –
Self-Authentication [Rule 902]
710.3 –
Subscribing Witness Unnecessary [Rule 903]
711. Contents of Writings [Rules 1001 – 1008]
711.1 –
Definitions [Rule 1001]
711.2 –
Requirement of Original [Rule 1002]
711.3 –
Admissibility of Duplicates [Rule 1003]
711.4 –
Other Evidence of Contents [Rule 1004]
711.5 –
Public Records [Rule 1005]
711.6 –
Summaries [Rule 1006]
711.7 –
Testimony/Admission of Party [Rule 1007]
711.8 –
Function of Court/Jury [Rule 1008]
712.1 Applicability of Rules [Rule 1101]
Types
721.1 Real Evidence: Non-fungible
722.1 Real Evidence: Fungible
723.1 Demonstrative Evidence
724.1 Digital Evidence
725.1 Photos and Videos
726.1 Audio Recordings
727.1 Maps and Diagrams
728.1 Eyewitness Identification
729.1 Voice Recognition
730.1 “Opened the Door”
800. Pattern Jury Instructions
900. Arrest Warrant and Indictment Forms
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Last Updated: 04/25/25
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