This program is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field.

Participants will demonstrate the following skills through successful completion of all required coursework and assignments:

• Discuss the origins and history of the American legal system
• Define and apply important legal terminology
• Discuss ethics for the law office
• List the elements of tort law and contract law
• Explain the important rules of civil procedure
• Demonstrate how to interview clients and witnesses
• Demonstrate how to conduct a legal investigation: gathering facts, gathering evidence and taking statements of clients and witnesses
• Demonstrate how to handle evidence that has been gathered
• Explain the important rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in court
• Describe how to perform legal research
• Discuss how to create a freelance legal investigation business

Expectations

Students will be expected to spend an average of at least 10 hours per lesson reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.

Required textbooks for this course:

• Federal Civil Rules Booklet, LegalPub.com, Inc.

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition, by Daniel Oran. Clifton Park: Delmar Cengage Learning

For more information, call The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Tests:

For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay exam covering the topics in the assigned reading.

Writing Assignments:

You will be asked to complete a writing assignment worth 100 points, which is due with your Lesson Six assignments.

Reflection Assignments:

You will also post your responses to six reflection assignments. These assignments, each worth 10 points make up your class participation grade. All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Material packet.

Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, one writing assignment, and class participation.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• The one writing assignment is worth 100 points and comprises 30% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

• Students have 30 days from the date they register for the text only course to return all materials and drop the class to receive a refund less a $50 non-refundable administrative fee. Materials, including all printed packets and handouts, must be received by CLS in new condition no less then 30 days from the date of purchase. No items will be accepted after 30 days.
• If students drop after 30 days from their registration date no refund will be issued.