Week 4 Law Talk – Burglary or Trespass
John was in Big George’s Barbecue Restaurant about 15 minutes before closing. He was supposedly coming to pick up a “to go” order of ribs. Instead he hid in a bathroom stall while the restaurant’s employees locked up and left. The employees were in a hurry to get home and had forgotten that John had come in. John started to stack up boxes of Big George’s world renowned barbecue sauce and a few cases of beer, a total value of $10,000. He planned to bring his truck around to the back of the store and load it up with his soon to be stolen bounty. Just then, the restaurant manager came back in and John fled out the backdoor empty handed.
Unfortunately for John, a police officer was in his car doing paperwork at the time John fled the restaurant. He arrested John.
Assignment
Students with last names beginning with the letters A through K will be for the prosecution.
Students with last names beginning with the letters L through Z will be for the defense.
POST 1:
Prosecutors:
- You work for the State Attorney’s office and have been asked to determine what crime or crimes that John should be charged with. Your first comment should include at least one criminal charge against John.
- Cite to at least one case that supports your position.
Defense:
- John has retained your firm to represent him in this case. You have been asked to determine what charges might be brought against John, whether the facts of the case support such charges and what defenses might be available to him. For your first post, select a crime that John might be charged with violating and argue that he should not be charged because his acts did not constitute a crime or that he has a valid legal defense.
- Cite to at least one case that supports your position.
POST 2 and 3:
Prosecutors:
- Select at least two defense posts
- Research the case cited by your opponent
- Argue against that post
- Cite to at least one case that supports your opposition, as well as proves the defense is wrong
Defense:
- Select at least two prosecutor’s posts
- Research the case cited by your opponent
- Argue against that post
- Cite to at least one case that supports your opposition, as well as proves the defense is wrong
