ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

Follow the instructions on essay-writing in Instructions in Writing an Essay

Write this as a memo from a junior lawyer to a senior lawyer.

We are preparing to give the closing argument to the jury (yes, that is what it is called) in the John Doe case.This comes after the witnesses have testified and the documents have been presented. We will be presenting arguments that the government's case is weak, that the evidence is so flawed that a jury cannot find John Doe guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (That is maybe 95 % certainty, although no lawyer will use a number to define that magical term.)

Select two reasons why the jury should have a reasonable doubt about John's guilt. For each, pick a piece of evidence that indicates non-guilt. The evidence could refer to motives, to witness bias, to agreed-upon parts of the story of the bank fraud. You should explain in detail what the evidence is and how it shows John's non-guilt. ONLY TWO, and remember the importance of detail.

You will lose points if your description of the facts is inaccurate. (Remember Racism in the English Language for its inaccuracies and wrong conclusions.) And consider whether there are alternative explanations.

And pick strong arguments; evidence that is not very effective at establishing non-guilt will earn less credit. Evidence that is accepted by both sides or produced by one side and not contradicted by the other side is probably strong evidence.

300-500 words, 5 points out of 100 for the course.