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CURRICULUM
PARALEGAL 1
Foundation Skills
Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of college credit including freshman English or the director's approval and familiarity with the Internet and Microsoft Word or WordPerfect.
Introduction to Law
Orientation to the paralegal profession; ethics, including the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct; basic legal concepts; and the Texas and federal court systems.
Legal Research
Hands-on use of digests, case reporters, statutory codes and secondary sources to locate law relevant to the client's case; introduction to legal analysis and legal writing.
Civil Litigation I
Introduction to the Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, which govern civil litigation; study of the paralegal's role during case investigation, preparation and trial with emphasis on civil litigation in the Texas state courts.
Time: 13 Saturdays/75 clock hours
PARALEGAL 2
Law, Legal Drafting and Computers
Prerequisite: Paralegal 1 and familiarity with the Internet and Microsoft Word or WordPerfect.
Civil Litigation II
Interviewing clients and witnesses; recognizing causes of action underlying civil litigation, including intentional torts, negligence and professional malpractice; continued study of applicable procedural rules and refinement of the paralegal's role in civil litigation; drafting projects.
LexisNexis and ProDoc
Using the computer to complement traditional legal research methods and streamline legal document drafting.
Legal Writing
Drafting litigation documents, legal correspondence, research memoranda and other legal documents for attorney review.
Contracts and Business Organizations
The paralegal's role in a business law practice, including the substantive law of contracts and remedies for breach; types of business ownership; State of Texas incorporation procedure; legal research and drafting projects.
Time: 13 Saturdays/75 clock hours
PARALEGAL 3
Legal Specialties
Prerequisites: Paralegal 1 and 2 and familiarity with the Internet and Microsoft Word or WordPerfect.
Family Law
The paralegal's role in a family law practice, including the substantive law and procedures relating to divorce, community property, conservatorship and child support, with emphasis on the Texas Family Code; legal research and drafting projects.
Wills and Probate
The paralegal's role in a wills and probate practice, including preparation of basic wills and other estate planning documents; the law of intestate succession; probate procedures with emphasis on the Texas Probate Code; legal research and drafting projects.
Criminal Law and Procedure
The paralegal's role in the criminal justice system with emphasis on the Texas Penal Code and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure; legal research and drafting projects.
Time: 13 Saturdays/75 clock hours
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