SRJC Course Outlines

12/21/2024 6:08:10 AMPLS 85.5 Course Outline as of Fall 2022

Inactive Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PLS 85.5Title:  DISCOVERY PROCEDURES  
Full Title:  Discovery Practices and Procedures
Last Reviewed:5/23/2016

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum1.50Lecture Scheduled1.5017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled26.25
Minimum1.50Lab Scheduled05 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total1.50 Contact Total26.25
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  BOT 85.5

Catalog Description:
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This course is intended for individuals interested in becoming legal secretaries or paralegals as well as individuals interested in learning about discovery, the most important component of a lawsuit. Focuses on law office secretarial procedures in discovery methods using interrogatories, production of documents, subpoenas, depositions; preparation, processing, and production of discovery documents and responses; and time frames and calendaring requirements.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of CS 60.11A or equivalent; Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course is intended for individuals interested in becoming legal secretaries or paralegals as well as individuals interested in learning about discovery, the most important component of a lawsuit. Focuses on law office secretarial procedures in discovery methods using interrogatories, production of documents, subpoenas, depositions; preparation, processing, and production of discovery documents and responses; and time frames and calendaring requirements.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion of CS 60.11A or equivalent; Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.   Discuss the procedures and preparation of discovery documents.
2.   Prepare discovery documents according to appropriate statutory laws and timelines.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.    Examine and analyze the purpose of discovery.
2.    Interpret the Discovery Act in the Code of Civil Procedure.
3.    Compare the various discovery documents and their purposes.
4.    Examine the legal requirements of each discovery document according to law.
5.    Select the time frames for service of the discovery documents and response to the documents.
6.    Calculate statutory time periods according to the requirements for legal calendaring.
7.    Create discovery documents according to standard legal format procedures.
8.    Generate responses to discovery documents.
9.  Properly organize discovery documents in preparation for a trial.

Topics and Scope
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I.    Discovery Act in Code of Civil Procedure
II.   Discovery Purpose
III.  Discovery Methods (under the Discovery Act)
     A. Interrogatories
     B. Depositions
     C. Demand for inspection and production of documents
     D. Request for admissions
     E. Demand for physical or mental examinations
     F. Compliance with statutory laws and timelines
IV.  Calendaring Considerations
     A. Time frames
     B. Calendaring requirements
V.   Responses to Discovery Demands
VI.  Discovery Documents
     A. Interrogatories
     B. Production of documents
     C. Subpoenas
     D. Depositions
VII. Response Document
     A. Answers to interrogatories
     B. Response to request for production of documents
VIII. Service of Process
     A.  Discuss proof of services
     B.  Other practices

Assignments:
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1. Follow discovery procedures for simulated cases
2. Draft written components of legal documents
3. Prepare discovery documents
4. One to two quizzes
5. Reading: approximately 10 pages per week
6. Organize and produce client files - homework
7. Calendar and tickle dates throughout simulations

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 20%
Drafts of legal and discovery documents
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
40 - 50%
Calendar and tickle dates throughout simulated cases, discovery document procedures for simulation cases
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
20 - 30%
homework organization and production of client files, draft legal documents
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
20 - 30%
One to two quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
In-class participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Litigation by the Numbers, Lawdable Press, Julie Goren, 2016

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