Charles S. Bobis

Adjunct Professor
B.A., Harpur College, State University of New York, BinghamtonJ.D., St. John's UniversityLL.M., University of London

Charles S. Bobis served as law clerk to Justice Benjamin J. Rabin of the New York State Appellate Division, First Judicial Department and as Law Assistant to the Justices of the same court. He later practiced for ten years as a trial attorney with the Criminal Defense Division of the Legal Aid Society of the City of New York before joining the law faculty. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and serves on the faculty of several trial advocacy programs in New York City. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Criminal Law Institute of the School of Law. Professor Bobis is co-author of Real Estate Brokerage-Law and Practice. He teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Legal Method.

Participant, Criminal Justice Workshop, AALS Regional Colloquium on Equal Justice at Pace Law School

CRIM PRO: ADJUDICATION (CRIMINAL LAW - 1060)
2 credits

This course covers procedure from arraignment to trial, including bail, preliminary examination, grand jury procedure, immunity, discovery, motions to dismiss, double jeopardy, the right to confront witnesses, and guilty pleas. Cases are discussed under the New York Criminal Procedure Law and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Grades are based upon a final examination.


CRIM PRO: INVESTIGATION (CRIMINAL LAW - 1050)
3 credits

This course studies federal constitutional and state law restrictions on police investigative practices. Specific topics include stops, arrests and other seizures; frisks and other searches; interrogations and confessions; and the operation of exclusionary rules. Grades are based upon a final examination.


CRIMINAL DEFENSE CLINIC PT I (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 8070)
4 credits

This course is limited to students who are selected after a screening and interview process. Selected students must commit to the course for the full academic year. Students will be placed at an indigent defense organization where they will represent clients in misdemeanor and violation cases under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will practice pursuant to an approved student practice order which permits students to arraign cases, interview clients, write, file and argue motions, conduct case investigations and represent clients in all court appearances. Students will also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar. Topics will include relevant skills training, theory and practice as well as New York substantive and procedural criminal law. It is strongly suggested that students wishing to be considered for the Criminal Defense Clinic Part I have already taken Evidence and Trial Advocacy. However, students who agree to enroll in Evidence and Trial Advocacy (civil or criminal) at the same time they are taking the Criminal Defense Clinic will also be considered. Grades will be based on student performance at the placement site and in the clinic seminar.


CRIMINAL DEFENSE CLINIC PT II (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 8080)
4 credits

This course is limited to students who have completed Criminal Defense Clinic Part I. Students will be placed at an indigent defense organization where they will represent clients in misdemeanor and violation cases under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will practice pursuant to an approved student practice order which permits students to arraign cases, interview clients, write, file and argue motions, conduct case investigations and represent clients in all court appearances. Students will also participate in a two-hour seminar. Topics will include relevant skills training, theory and practice as well as New York substantive and procedural criminal law. Grades will be based on student performance at the placement site and in the clinic seminar.


INT'L CRIMINAL LAW (INTERNAT'L AND COMPARATIVE LAW - 2030)
2 credits

This course covers jurisdiction in international law, extradition and its legal and constitutional bases, the nature of international crimes in customary international law, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture. This course will also consider the proposed international Criminal Court and the Rome Statute of 1998. Grades are based upon a final exam.