Baylor Law Hosts 10th Successful Criminal Law Boot Camp
Baylor Law students with the volunteer prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers at the Criminal Law Boot Camp, December 2021
WACO -
The tenth Criminal Law Boot Camp, and the third of 2021, offered an intense introduction to Texas state criminal practice taught by highly experienced prosecutors and defense lawyers. Over a period of three days, students were exposed to real-world criminal case theories and preparation skills that are essential for successful criminal prosecution and defense. The final Boot Camp of 2021 began on Friday, December 3, and ran through Sunday, December 5.
Unique to Baylor Law, the Criminal Law Boot Camp is led by award-winning prosecutor and author Richard Alpert. Alpert has trained thousands of lawyers, judges, expert witnesses, and others on the intricacies of successfully litigating criminal cases.
In addition to deep dives into jury selection, punishment evidence, and how to construct and deliver an effective guilt/innocence and punishment closing arguments, students also learn about ethical issues related to criminal practice from both the state and the defense perspectives.
In the fictitious case used during this past weekend’s Boot Camp, In the fictitious case used during the Boot Camp, State of Texas v. Glen Alex Cobb, the Defendant is charged with 1st Degree Murder. He is accused of shooting a homeless man who confronted him in, and outside of, a convenience store. The Defense is claiming self-defense. Competing media narratives complicate this emotionally fraught case.
Students learned from the combined experience of a dozen current and retired prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers, including:
Prosecutors
- Richard Alpert, Retired Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Baylor Law
- Ryan Calvert, Brazos County Assistant District Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Baylor Law
- Gabby Massey, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, Criminal Prosecutions Division
- Kevin Petroff, Assistant District Attorney at Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's Office
- Beth Toben, Limestone County Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Defense Attorneys
- Elizabeth Berry, Elizabeth Berry Law Firm, Fort Worth, TX
- David Deaconson, Pakis, Giotes, Page & Burleson, P. C. and Adjunct Professor at Baylor Law
- Keith Harris, Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, Dallas, TX
- Christy Jack, Vargehese Summersett PLLC, Fort Worth, TX
- JoAnn Linzer, Linzer and Gaines Attorneys at Law, Conroe, TX
- Patrick Short, Law Firm of Patrick Short, Rockwall, TX
- Greg Westfall, Westfall Sellers, Fort Worth, TX
Due to increased student demand for the Criminal Law Boot Camp, Prof. Alpert now plans to offer one per quarter beginning in 2022. The Spring Boot Camp will be held April 1-3, 2022, the Summer Boot Camp will be held June 24-26.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Nelson, Director of Marketing & Communications
EMAIL: Ed_Nelson@Baylor.edu
PHONE: 254-710-6681
ABOUT BAYLOR LAW
Established in 1857, Baylor Law was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,800 living alumni. Accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association of American Law Schools, Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Baylor Law boasts among its notable alumni two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law's trial advocacy program as among the best in the nation at No. 2. Baylor Law School also is ranked No. 48 in the magazine's 2020 edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools." The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best School for Practical Training" and No. 4 in the nation in its most recent "Best Law School Facilities" listing. Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law School received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since its inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu
