True Crime

Crimes of the Century

4.6

Crimes of the Century CLE: In Cold Blood - State v. Hickock and Smith

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Colorado CLE Approved 1 Total
Louisiana CLE Upon Request 1 Total
Montana CLE Approved 1 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 1 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 1 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 1 Total
New York CLE Approved 1 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 1 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 1 Total
Washington CLE Approved 1 Total
OnDemand
58 minutes
Joel Oster
With Joel L. Oster from Comedian of Law, LLC
Recorded June 18, 2024.
Product ID 99064

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Course Includes
$99

OnDemand Video

Course Book Download

Overview

Trial Lessons From the Infamous Murder Case

Truman Capote captivated the world with his non-fiction story In Cold Blood. The Clutter family was slain in their farm home as if they were pigs in a slaughter. It was gruesome. It was horrific. And it was pointless. The killers thought they were going to hit the score of their lifetime, but only found $40. The story behind why these killers committed this horrific crime, the investigation, the trial, and the execution is a harrowing tale. As we examine the trial strategies and applicable law, you will learn about the intersection between insanity pleas, capital punishment, and the usefulness of law in helping a community seek justice. Register today!

  • Review the key facts of the infamous Hickcock and Smith case as they appear in the court documents.
  • Analyze attorney tactics and legal strategies employed in the case.
  • Discuss why insanity plea is such a challenging and fraught defense tactic.
  • Understand the challenges of defendants with severe mental illness in the justice system.
  • Explore the latest court cases addressing capital punishment.
  • Examine the duty of attorneys and the justice system to the community.

This program was designed in conjunction with attorney Joel Oster, Comedian of Law and True Crime Podcaster.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Insanity and the Justice System, Attorney's Role in Obtaining Justice
  2. In Cold Blood Facts
    1. Who Were the Clutters?
    2. Murder Scene Details
    3. The Investigation: Suspects, Dead-Ends, and Paralyzed Society
    4. The Big Prison Break
    5. Tracking Down Hickock and Smith
  3. Trial Strategy Analysis
    1. Insanity Defense (Pre-8th Amendment Argument?)
    2. Change of Venue
    3. Separate Trials
  4. Trial Overview
    1. Review of Key Witness Testimony and Evidence Presented at Trial
    2. Verdict and Execution
  5. Review of Recent 8th Amendment Cases
    1. Cruz v. Arizona, 598 U.S. __ (2023)
    2. Reed v. Goertz, 598 U.S. __ (2023)
    3. Nance v. Ward, 597 U.S. __ (2022)
    4. McKinney v. Arizona, 589 U.S. __ (2020)
    5. Flowers v. Mississippi, 588 U.S. __ (2019)
  6. The Role That Lawyers, Courts, and the Laws Play in Obtaining Justice for the Grief-Stricken Community

Related Topics

Product ID 99064

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Colorado CLE Approved 1 Total
Louisiana CLE Upon Request 1 Total
Montana CLE Approved 1 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 1 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 1 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 1 Total
New York CLE Approved 1 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 1 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 1 Total
Washington CLE Approved 1 Total

Credit Details by Jurisdiction

CLE Credits
Colorado CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Colorado CLE - 1: NBI, Inc. is a Certified Provider, as recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court Continuing Legal and Judicial Education Committee. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of home study general Colorado Continuing Legal Education Credit, including 0.0 professional responsibility credit.

Video Download - Colorado CLE - 1: NBI, Inc. is a Certified Provider, as recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court Continuing Legal and Judicial Education Committee. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of home study general Colorado Continuing Legal Education Credit, including 0.0 professional responsibility credit.

Louisiana CLE Upon Request · 1 Total Credits

OnDemand - Louisiana CLE - 1: Upon course completion and credit request submittal, an application will be submitted to Louisiana CLE.

Montana CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Montana CLE - 1: This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of self-study CLE credit by the Montana Commission of Continuing Legal Education, including 0.0 hour of professional fitness and integrity credit. No more than 5.0 hours of self-study CLE credit may be earned during a reporting period.

Video Download - Montana CLE - 1: This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of self-study CLE credit by the Montana Commission of Continuing Legal Education, including 0.0 hour of professional fitness and integrity credit. No more than 5.0 hours of self-study CLE credit may be earned during a reporting period.

North Dakota CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - North Dakota CLE - 1: North Dakota attorneys completing this program may claim up to 1.0 North Dakota self-study CLE credit hours, including 0.0 hour of self-study ethics credit, on the Report of Compliance. No more than 30.0 hours of self-study CLE credit may be earned during a reporting period.

Video Download - North Dakota CLE - 1: North Dakota attorneys completing this program may claim up to 1.0 North Dakota self-study CLE credit hours, including 0.0 hour of self-study ethics credit, on the Report of Compliance. No more than 30.0 hours of self-study CLE credit may be earned during a reporting period.

New Hampshire CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - New Hampshire CLE - 1: NHMCLE does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the NH Minimum CLE requirement. NBI, Inc. believes this course meets the requirements of NH Supreme Court Rule 53 toward the annual NHMCLE requirement.

Video Download - New Hampshire CLE - 1: NHMCLE does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the NH Minimum CLE requirement. NBI, Inc. believes this course meets the requirements of NH Supreme Court Rule 53 toward the annual NHMCLE requirement.

Nevada CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Nevada CLE - 1: This course has been approved by the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of alternative format CLE credits by the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education, which includes 0.0 hour of alternative format ethical considerations.

Video Download - Nevada CLE - 1: This course has been approved by the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of alternative format CLE credits by the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education, which includes 0.0 hour of alternative format ethical considerations.

New York CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits
  • 1 Areas of Professional Practice

Earn Until

OnDemand - New York CLE - 1: This nontraditional format course has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for up to 1.0 credit hours. 1.0 hours can be applied to the areas of professional practice requirement and is approved for experienced attorneys. NBI, Inc. offers a Financial Hardship Policy for qualifying individuals. To apply, please submit a request via email to our Tuition Discount Committee at customerservice@nbi-sems.com.

Video Download - New York CLE - 1: This nontraditional format course has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for up to 1.0 credit hours. 1.0 hours can be applied to the areas of professional practice requirement and is approved for experienced attorneys. NBI, Inc. offers a Financial Hardship Policy for qualifying individuals. To apply, please submit a request via email to our Tuition Discount Committee at customerservice@nbi-sems.com.

Oregon CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Oregon CLE - 1: NBI, Inc. is an approved sponsor with the Oregon MCLE. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of general continuing legal education credit and 0.0 hour of ethics credit.

Video Download - Oregon CLE - 1: NBI, Inc. is an approved sponsor with the Oregon MCLE. This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of general continuing legal education credit and 0.0 hour of ethics credit.

Tennessee CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Tennessee CLE - 1: This course has been approved by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education for a maximum of 1.0 hours of Distance Learning credit, including 0.0 hour of ethics/professionalism (EP) credit.

Washington CLE Approved · 1 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Washington CLE - 1: This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of Washington continuing legal education (Self Study) A/V credit, which includes 1.0 hours of Law and Legal Procedure and 0.0 hour of ethics and professional responsibility.

Video Download - Washington CLE - 1: This program may qualify for up to 1.0 hours of Washington continuing legal education (Self Study) A/V credit, which includes 1.0 hours of Law and Legal Procedure and 0.0 hour of ethics and professional responsibility.
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. True Crime CLE: In Cold Blood - State v. Hickock and Smith

    1. Insanity and the Justice System, Attorney's Role in Obtaining Justice
    2. In Cold Blood Facts
      1. Who Were the Clutters?
      2. Murder Scene Details
      3. The Investigation: Suspects, Dead-Ends, and Paralyzed Society
      4. The Big Prison Break
      5. Tracking Down Hickock and Smith
    3. Trial Strategy Analysis
      1. Insanity Defense (Pre-8th Amendment Argument?)
      2. Change of Venue
      3. Separate Trials
    4. Trial Overview
      1. Review of Key Witness Testimony and Evidence Presented at Trial
      2. Verdict and Execution
    5. Review of Recent 8th Amendment Cases
      1. Cruz v. Arizona, 598 U.S. __ (2023)
      2. Reed v. Goertz, 598 U.S. __ (2023)
      3. Nance v. Ward, 597 U.S. __ (2022)
      4. McKinney v. Arizona, 589 U.S. __ (2020)
      5. Flowers v. Mississippi, 588 U.S. __ (2019)
    6. The Role That Lawyers, Courts, and the Laws Play in Obtaining Justice for the Grief-Stricken Community

Who Should Attend

This true-crime legal course is designed for attorneys. Paralegals and legal staff will also benefit.

Speakers

Joel L Oster
Joel L.
Oster
Comedian of Law, LLC
Speaker bio
Joel L Oster

Joel L. Oster

Comedian of Law, LLC
Joel Oster

is a litigator, national speaker, podcaster, and stand-up comic. He is in private practice specializing in constitutional law, appellate advocacy, and attorney ethics. Mr. Oster regularly litigates First Amendment issues and has been lead counsel on two cases that ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has argued a case before the United States District Court for the Western District of New York and the Second Circuit; and was part of a legal team that successfully defended a case in the U.S. Supreme Court. He's also prevailed as lead counsel in defending a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. Mr. Oster has spoken to thousands of attorneys across the United States and brings their combined practical perspectives to his seminars. He has presented at numerous bench and bar conferences, and co-hosts the podcast DeBriefing the Law with Chris Marohn. The podcast covers current legal news and true crimes using their brand of humor. From the Supreme Court to O.J. Simpson, no legal topic is off-limits. Most importantly he is also a stand-up comic. Even though he has argued before numerous appellate courts, including Judge Calabresi of the Second Circuit, he said nothing compares to the nerves of trying to make a room full of drunk college kids laugh. He headlined the comedy tour "Presumed Funny" which featured random musings about the legal profession. Mr. Oster earned his J.D. degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. He is admitted to the bar in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, and numerous federal courts.

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