Legal Investigation Certificate Course – Online
About This Course
This intensive online program is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field.
Course Objectives:
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
This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.
Course Books
Required textbooks for this course:
- Federal Rules for Paralegals, West Academic
Highly Recommended Legal Resources:
- Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.
For more information, call CLS by BARBRI at 888-238-5204, or visit our Online Store to order.
Lesson Topics:
Lesson One: Introduction to the American Legal System
Lesson Two: An Overview of Civil Procedure, Contract Law, and Tort Law
Lesson Three: The Rules of Evidence and Hearsay
Lesson Four: Fact and Evidence Gathering Techniques
Lesson Five: Handling Evidence and Interviewing Techniques
Lesson Six: Legal Research, Ethical Considerations, and the Job Search
Course Wrap-Up and Job Hunting Techniques
Tests:
For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay exam covering the topics in the assigned reading. These tests are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.
Writing Assignments:
You will be asked to complete a writing assignment worth 50 points, which is due by 9:00 a.m. on the last Monday of class.
Bulletin Board Assignments:
You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Forums’ under Activities in the course.
All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.
Additional resources are available by accessing the URL Library tool.
Grading
Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, one writing assignment, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The tests and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities. You will have the opportunity to engage in “class participation” by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.
Your final grade will be figured as follows:
- The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 70% of your grade.
- The one writing assignment is worth 50 points and comprises 20% of your grade.
- Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $50 administrative fee if written notice is sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.
Please NOTE: If you registered for a CLS course directly with the college or university, you are subject to the school’s refund/drop policies.