Criminal

Law and
Legal
Procedures
By: Dorian Sikkink
 • Introduction
• Career field and why I chose it
• Shadowing and Research

Overview of
• Who and when I shadowed
• What I learned from shadowing

Project
• Research Essay
• Product
• The Problem
• A Solution
• Questions and Closing
Introduction
Introduction
• Why did I choose this field?
• Wanted to pursue law as a
career field
• Not many opportunities
for a hands-on
experience.
• Started to develop an
interest in law
• Mainly from
Government
• Sturdy profession
Shadowing and
Research
Shadowing
• Who did I shadow?
• Circuit Court Judge Patrick
McCann
• Deputy State’s Attorney Alison
Bakken
• Where did I shadow?
• Codington County Courthouse
• What did I see?
• How the legal system works.
• The roles and positions of
people within the courts.
 Research

Question
Do high reported cases and popular
television have an impact on the
impartiality of juries?
• Potentially can affect impartiality of
juries.
• A highly debated question within the
legal community.
Thesis
High Profile and Media coverage along
with popular television do not
significantly sway the opinions of juries
nor effect the impartiality of legal cases.
• No significant evidence supports it.
• Courts can root out potentially biased
jurors.
Product
Product

Problem Solution
A lack of knowledge of what happens A legal binder of a fictional court case.
during legal cases. • Helps people understand the process.
• Potentially undermines public faith in • Instills more confidence of the public.
the courts.
• Can hinder the effectiveness of court
trials
 • Law is something I’d wish to pursue.
• I learned a lot from my shadowing, and I
Reflection can begin using it to help me on my path
to law school.
and Future • I plan on attending South Dakota State
Goals University for a bachelor's degree in
Political Science, then I’ll attend University
of South Dakota School of Law once I’ve
obtained my four-year degree.
 Mr. Rudebusch, Patrick

Special thanks to….

McCann, Alison Bakken,
the Codington County
Courthouse, and the
Panel Members.
Questions?