Practice Court and Criminal Law

Master Criminal Law in Practice Court: Real-World Trials, Expert Collaborations, and Cutting-Edge Training at Baylor Law

At Baylor Law School, we’re committed to preparing you for the real world of criminal law. Our renowned Practice Court Program has undergone strategic enhancements to bring criminal practice to life, offering you experiences that closely mirror the challenges you’ll face as a practicing attorney.

If you’re passionate about criminal law, you’ll engage in sequential “Big Trials” that simulate both criminal and civil cases. Here, you’ll discover firsthand how strategies that succeed in criminal trials might pose challenges in civil court, giving you a comprehensive understanding of trial dynamics.

Our Criminal “Big Trials” are at the cutting edge, thanks to innovative collaborations with top experts both within and beyond the Baylor community. Retired Texas Ranger and Senior Lecturer James (Jim) Huggins joins our Practice Court team to craft intricate murder scenes and complex blood spatter analysis scenarios. To add realism, Baylor University undergraduates from the 'Expert Witness Testimony Course' participate as witnesses, sharpening your skills in handling live testimony.

We also collaborate with Dr. Charles Weaver, Chair of Baylor’s Psychology and Neurosciences Department and a nationally recognized authority on eyewitness identification. Dr. Weaver and his Ph.D. candidates contribute their expertise to create case files that challenge you to navigate the complexities of eyewitness testimony, understanding its nuances and limitations in the courtroom.

Beyond our campus, we’ve established a groundbreaking partnership with Kerrville State Hospital, a leading mental health facility. Here, you’ll work alongside doctoral candidates training to become expert witnesses in cases involving defendants with mental health issues. You’ll gain hands-on experience in conducting video depositions, handling in-court procedures, and effectively using expert testimony to build a compelling case.

These unique experiences are designed to prepare you for the rigors of criminal law practice, ensuring that when you step into the courtroom, you’re not just ready—you’re ready to excel.