TALKING POINTS OUTLINE
"FROM THE COURTROOM TO THE CLASSROOM"
FOR 9^TH GRADE

ECONOMIC, LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS CLASS
FOR 10^TH GRADE
CIVICS/ECONOMICS CLASS

Theme: The North Carolina Criminal Justice System

Focus: Leading students to understand the role of lawyers in the criminal justice system

Time: 50-75 minutes

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

I. CRIMINAL PROCESS

A. Arrest by Police

1. Search and seizure -- 4^th Amendment

2. Miranda warnings -- 5^th Amendment

B. Defense Counsel

1. Privately retained

2. Indigent right to appointment of counsel -- 6^th Amendment

C. Arraignment

1. Bond hearing

2. Conditions of release

D. Grand Jury -- 5^th Amendment

1. Composition

2. Prosecutor submits case

3. No defense counsel present

4. Indictment

5. No true bill

E. Discovery

II. PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL CASE

A. Motion to dismiss indictment

B. Motion to suppress evidence

C. Plea bargaining

D. Trial by jury -- 6^th Amendment

1. Jury selection and composition

2. Opening statements

3. Direct and cross of prosecution witnesses and evidence

4. Direct and cross of defense witnesses and evidence

5. Closing arguments

6. Jury charge and deliberation

7. Unanimous verdict

III. SENTENCING

A. Sentencing guidelines and pre-sentence report

1. Probation

2. Fine

3. Imprisonment

4. Capital punishment

B. Sentencing hearing

1. Presentation of evidence

2. Arguments of counsel

3. Allocution by defendant

4. Entry of sentence

IV. DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW

V. DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW