Prosecutor Training

Lesson 1 • Core Ethical Obligations

Covers professional conduct rules governing prosecutors, including candour, fairness, and avoiding misconduct. Establishes the ethical baseline required before any tactical training begins.

Lesson 2 • Structure of the Criminal Justice System

Maps the institutional actors—courts, defence bar, law enforcement, and corrections—and their relationships to the prosecutor. Provides context for every procedural stage covered later.

Lesson 3 • The Prosecutor's Constitutional Mandate

Defines the prosecutor's dual role as advocate and minister of justice. Grounds all subsequent training in the principle that conviction is not the sole measure of success.

Lesson 1 • Pretrial Procedure and Timelines

Traces the case from arrest through arraignment, preliminary hearing, and grand jury. Mastery of procedural timelines prevents dismissals and preserves prosecutorial options.

Lesson 2 • Sentencing Frameworks and Considerations

Introduces sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, and judicial discretion relevant to plea and trial strategy. Connects sentencing outcomes to charging decisions made earlier in the case.

Lesson 3 • Constitutional Limits on Prosecution

Examines Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment constraints that shape evidence admissibility and trial conduct. Prosecutors who internalise these limits avoid reversible error.

Lesson 4 • Defences and Affirmative Defences

Surveys justification and excuse defences prosecutors must anticipate and rebut. Understanding defence theories sharpens charging decisions and trial preparation.

Lesson 1 • Hearsay Rules and Exceptions

Analyses the hearsay definition, exemptions, and the most commonly litigated exceptions. Prosecutors must identify admissible out-of-court statements to build complete cases.

Lesson 2 • Expert Witness Evidence

Covers standards for qualifying experts, admissibility of scientific evidence, and Daubert-style reliability gatekeeping. Prosecutors must present expert testimony that survives rigorous challenge.

Lesson 3 • Authentication and Best Evidence

Explains how to authenticate documents, digital files, and physical objects for admission. Proper authentication prevents defence challenges that exclude critical evidence.

Lesson 4 • Privileges and Confidentiality

Surveys solicitor-client, spousal, and governmental privileges that affect evidence gathering and disclosure. Recognising privilege boundaries prevents inadvertent waiver and litigation complications.

Lesson 1 • Reviewing the Investigative File

Establishes a structured method for reading police reports, forensic results, and witness statements. Thorough file review is the prerequisite for every charging and strategy decision.

Lesson 2 • Charging in Complex Multi-Count Cases

Addresses strategic and legal considerations when charging multiple counts, co-defendants, or continuing criminal enterprises. Builds on basic charging skills to handle sophisticated case structures.

Lesson 3 • Drafting Charging Documents

Covers complaint, information, and indictment drafting with attention to specificity and notice requirements. Defective charging documents invite dismissal and delay justice.

Lesson 4 • Applying the Charging Standard

Applies the legally sufficient evidence standard and the reasonable likelihood of conviction test. Consistent application of the charging standard reduces wrongful prosecutions and dismissals.

Lesson 1 • Constitutional Disclosure Requirements

Examines the duty to disclose material exculpatory and impeachment evidence under Brady and Giglio principles. Failure to comply is among the most serious prosecutorial errors.

Lesson 2 • Managing Law Enforcement Information

Addresses how to obtain, review, and disclose information held by police and other agencies. Prosecutors bear disclosure responsibility even for materials they did not personally collect.

Lesson 3 • Statutory and Rule-Based Disclosure

Covers disclosure obligations imposed by procedural rules beyond constitutional minimums, including reciprocal disclosure. Prosecutors must track both floors and ceilings of disclosure duty.

Lesson 4 • Digital and Voluminous Disclosure

Provides strategies for producing and reviewing large electronic datasets, including ESI and surveillance footage. Modern cases demand efficient digital disclosure management to meet deadlines.

Lesson 1 • Motions in Limine

Trains prosecutors to seek pretrial rulings that admit favourable evidence and exclude prejudicial defence evidence. Strategic motions in limine define the trial's evidentiary boundaries.

Lesson 2 • Competency and Mental Health Proceedings

Addresses competency evaluations, restoration proceedings, and insanity-related pretrial hearings. Prosecutors must navigate mental health issues without sacrificing case integrity.

Lesson 3 • Speedy Trial and Continuance Practice

Explains speedy trial calculation, excludable time, and the strategic use of continuances. Prosecutors must protect the record while managing complex case preparation timelines.

Lesson 4 • Suppression Motions and Hearings

Covers Fourth and Fifth Amendment suppression litigation, including evidentiary hearings and burden allocation. Winning suppression hearings preserves the evidence needed to prove the case.

Lesson 1 • Closing Arguments

Guides construction of a closing argument that synthesises evidence, applies the law, and calls for conviction. Closing argument is the prosecutor's final opportunity to persuade the jury.

Lesson 2 • Opening Statements

Teaches how to deliver a factually accurate, thematically compelling opening that previews the evidence. A strong opening frames the jury's interpretation of all testimony that follows.

Lesson 3 • Cross-Examination Techniques

Trains controlled, goal-oriented cross-examination that limits damage and advances the government's theory. Disciplined cross-examination prevents defence witnesses from reinforcing harmful narratives.

Lesson 4 • Jury Selection Strategy

Covers voir dire questioning techniques, cause challenges, and peremptory strike strategy. Effective jury selection seats jurors capable of fair deliberation on the government's evidence.

Lesson 1 • Post-Verdict Motions

Addresses motions for judgment of acquittal, new trial motions, and the standards courts apply. Prosecutors must respond to these motions promptly to preserve the verdict.

Lesson 2 • Appellate Brief Writing

Develops skills to write persuasive appellate briefs defending convictions against legal error claims. Clear, well-organised briefs are essential to maintaining convictions on appeal.

Lesson 3 • Oral Argument Before Appellate Courts

Prepares prosecutors for appellate oral argument, including bench question techniques and time management. Confident oral advocacy reinforces the written brief and addresses judicial concerns directly.

Lesson 4 • Sentencing Advocacy

Trains prosecutors to present sentencing recommendations supported by guidelines, victim impact, and case facts. Effective sentencing advocacy ensures proportionate outcomes and victim recognition.