Instructor: Colleen GradyInstructor: Colleen Grady

Welcome to Seminar 8Welcome to Seminar 8PA 203PA 203

Interviewing & InvestigationInterviewing & Investigation

Agenda for tonight’s SeminarAgenda for tonight’s Seminar Course Status UpdateCourse Status Update The Investigative ProcessThe Investigative Process Unit 8 Discussion BoardUnit 8 Discussion Board Week 8 RequirementsWeek 8 Requirements Preview Week 9 RequirementsPreview Week 9 Requirements

Course StatusCourse Status

We are finishing Unit 8. Your final We are finishing Unit 8. Your final project should be in by tomorrow night.project should be in by tomorrow night.

Next Monday is our last Seminar!Next Monday is our last Seminar! We are winding down. Check the We are winding down. Check the

Gradebook. It is not too late to submit Gradebook. It is not too late to submit any missed work. any missed work.

The Final Exam is still coming and it is The Final Exam is still coming and it is worth a big chunk of our course grade. worth a big chunk of our course grade.

The Investigative ProcessThe Investigative Process What is the purpose of learning

legal terminology? What are some “magic” legal

words?

If you specialize in one area of the law, why do you need to know about other

areas?

What are different areas of laws that may be applicable to an attorney who

practices…

Personal Injury Law ?Personal Injury Law ? Corporation Law?Corporation Law? Criminal Law?Criminal Law?

1. What role does a paralegal play in identifying

possible parties to a case?

2. Why do we need to include the exact and proper names in a case?

Unit 8 Discussion BoardUnit 8 Discussion Board

Two Topics Two Topics - Homer Simpson (illegal drug Homer Simpson (illegal drug

use); and use); and

- Carla Smith (accident due to - Carla Smith (accident due to manhole cover).manhole cover).

Unit 8 RequirementsUnit 8 Requirements Final ProjectFinal Project SeminarSeminar DB – 2 partsDB – 2 parts

Homer SimpsonHomer Simpson Carla SmithCarla Smith

No Quiz this weekNo Quiz this week

Preview Week 9 RequirementsPreview Week 9 Requirements Attend Seminar or submit the alternate Attend Seminar or submit the alternate

assignment. – It’s the last Seminar.assignment. – It’s the last Seminar. Complete the reading assignment – Complete the reading assignment –

Chapter 9Chapter 9 Post to the Discussion Board 4-5 times Post to the Discussion Board 4-5 times

total and at least once to each of the 2 total and at least once to each of the 2 topicstopics

Submit the Final Exam (60 questions – Submit the Final Exam (60 questions – T/F and M/C – all from the reading)T/F and M/C – all from the reading)

Unit 9 Discussion BoardUnit 9 Discussion Board Oldajean and Staffodil bought a home in March. Oldajean and Staffodil bought a home in March.

The previous owners claimed there was no The previous owners claimed there was no current damage and no problems with the home current damage and no problems with the home at the time of the sale. The real estate agent, Phil, at the time of the sale. The real estate agent, Phil, supported the previous owners, stating that he supported the previous owners, stating that he knew a lot about houses and that this one was knew a lot about houses and that this one was fine. Phil also told Oldajean and Staffodil that they fine. Phil also told Oldajean and Staffodil that they did not need to have the house inspected and did not need to have the house inspected and that it was not the standard practice to do so in that it was not the standard practice to do so in this state. Oldajean and Staffodil were new to the this state. Oldajean and Staffodil were new to the state and believed Phil and went ahead with the state and believed Phil and went ahead with the purchase of the home. After moving in, they found purchase of the home. After moving in, they found several problems, including rotted siding on the several problems, including rotted siding on the outside, rotted window frames, broken pipes that outside, rotted window frames, broken pipes that had been taped together, and holes in the wall had been taped together, and holes in the wall that had been covered with wallpaper. Staffodil that had been covered with wallpaper. Staffodil and Oldajean are now asking for legal and Oldajean are now asking for legal representation and wish to sue the previous representation and wish to sue the previous owners for $20,000, which is the cost to fix the owners for $20,000, which is the cost to fix the house. house.

Unit 9 DB –topic 1Unit 9 DB –topic 1 Find your state's laws regarding real

estate transactions and disclosure statements. What laws may apply to Oldajean and Staffodil's case?

Using the laws you have found, list the evidence Oldajean and Staffodil will need to gather to support their case.

Unit 9 DB –topic 2Unit 9 DB –topic 2 Read the Case Study on page 209 of Read the Case Study on page 209 of Civil Civil

Interviewing and InvestigationInterviewing and Investigation concerning concerning "Christian Lowd, Minor." Then answer the "Christian Lowd, Minor." Then answer the discussion questions that follow on the discussion questions that follow on the Discussion Board.Discussion Board.

Do you foresee any problem obtaining the juvenile court records in order to change the judgment?

What records will be needed to begin locating financial records on Mr. Lowd?

What resources are available to the paralegal (both public and private) to search for financial data on Mr. Lowd?

Are any other resources available to the paralegal when looking for Mr. Lowd and his money?

Some things to review for Final Some things to review for Final ExamExam

Open ended and direct questionsOpen ended and direct questions HearsayHearsay Rule 404Rule 404 BehaviorismBehaviorism Client fact/case factClient fact/case fact Informal discoveryInformal discovery

Some things to review for Final Some things to review for Final ExamExam

Relevant evidenceRelevant evidence Digital photographs and safeguardsDigital photographs and safeguards Tickler systemTickler system Privacy ActPrivacy Act Freedom of Information ActFreedom of Information Act

Questions?Questions?