Investigator Track Sessions - Court Preparation Training for NC Public Defender Investigators

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket

Court Preparation Training materials for North Carolina Public Defender investigators focused on preparing witnesses for courtroom issues and testimony. The instruction explains how District Court and Superior Court processes work, including roles of courthouse personnel, expectations for witness demeanor and presentation, and how testimony is handled during trial. It also outlines practical guidance for subpoenaed witnesses, contempt consequences, and what to anticipate after guilty pleas, including possible trial de novo proceedings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages187

Reading Time7 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Court Preparation Training

Lesson Purpose and Objectives

Introduction

Court Process

District Court - Infraction or Misdemeanor

District Court - Felony Charge

Superior Court

2017 Spring Public Defender Attorney & Investigator Conference INVESTIGATOR TRACK May 17-19, 2017 – Charlotte, NC ELECTRONIC CONFERENCE MATERIALS* *This PDF file contains "bookmarks," which serve as a clickable table of contents that allows you to easily skip around and locate documents within the larger file. A bookmark panel should automatically appear on the left-hand side of this screen. If it does not, click the icon—located on the left-hand side of the open PDF document—that looks like a dog-eared page with a ribbon hanging from the top. COURT PREPARATION TRAINING FOR NC PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATORS TITLE: COURT PREPARATION TRAINING Lesson Purpose: To prepare students for courtroom issues and testimony. Training Objectives: At the end of this block of instruction, the student will be able to achieve the following objectives in accordance with information received during the instructional period. 1. Understand the various steps in the District and Superior Court process. 2. List five things a witness should do (or not do) to ensure that courtroom demeanor, dress and appearance are proper. Hours: 1 ½ hours Instructional Method: Lecture/Conference Required Equipment/ Training Aids: Audio-visual classroom equipment PowerPoint References: North Carolina General Statutes Originally Prepared By: J. Joy Strickland, Assistant Attorney General For use at the North Carolina Association of Property and Evidence Date Prepared: March 2016 Revised by: J. Joy Strickland, Special Deputy Attorney General For use at training for NC Public Defender Investigators Date Revised: April 2017 TITLE: COURT PREPARATION TRAINING This block of instruction will be taught by a person(s) familiar with the court system and with experience in trial preparation and testifying in court. TITLE: COURT PREPARATION TRAINING FOR NC PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATORS I. Introduction A. Opening Statement Preparation for court does not commence at the beginning of trial. Witnesses should not wait until the day of trial to prepare. Proper preparation for court, along with accurate, clear and legally permissible (i.e. permitted under the NC rules of evidence) testimony will help ensure a just disposition. B. Objectives C. Purpose To familiarize the students with procedures concerning testimony in court, proper demeanor in the courtroom, and various legal issues related to testimony and evidence. II. Body A. Court Process It is important for witnesses to familiarize themselves with the court process and functions of various courthouse personnel prior to participating in any court function. Some personnel you may have contact with include: the court reporter, Clerk of Court (and assistants), the District Attorney (and Assistant District Attorneys) and investigators, and defense attorneys and investigators. 1. District Court -Typically Infraction or misdemeanor only (Note: Some felony offenses may be pled to in District Court): A judge presides over criminal District Court and there is no jury present. A session of court in District Court is one day. a) If a defendant is charged with an infraction or misdemeanor offense only, the case will initially be handled in District Court. b) If a defendant opts to plead guilty or no contest, the District Attorney or designee will usually provide the District Court Judge with a factual basis for the plea. Essentially, the District Attorney provides a summary of the facts ofthe case. c) If a defendant opts to plead not guilty, the case will be set for trial in District Court and heard by a District Court Judge. The defendant may be represented by an attorney or may represent himself. d) At trial, the District Attorney represents the State. The State has the burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. e) You may be called to testify at trial. You may be called to testify by either the District Attorney or by the defense. f) If subpoe

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Court Preparation Training block?

The training is designed to prepare students for courtroom issues and testimony. It aims to familiarize trainees with procedures related to testimony, courtroom demeanor, and legal issues around evidence.

How do witnesses prepare before the day of trial?

Preparation for court begins before trial. Witnesses should understand courtroom procedures and ensure legally permissible, accurate, and clear testimony to support a just disposition.

What should an investigator or witness do if subpoenaed and a scheduling conflict occurs?

Keep track of the court date and immediately notify the party that issued the subpoena if a conflict arises. Properly served individuals who fail to attend as required may be held in contempt of court.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket