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    Defending the Accused: From Arrest to Acquittal
    In-person Program

    Defending the Accused: From Arrest to Acquittal

    by Northwestern College Prep

    Explore criminal defense through client interviews, case analysis and mock court advocacy, with a focus on evidence, ethics and social justice.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Defending the Accused at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising sophomores-seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    Evanston, Illinois, United States

    Cost

    $3,625; $5,235

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Law & justiceEthicsDebating
    Accommodation: Northwestern residence hall option
    Meals: Residential room and board
    Certificate / Outcome: Northwestern transcript and certificate
    Campus experience: Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series
    Tutors / faculty: Joshua Jones, trial advocacy director
    Sessions / cadence: 10 × 3-hour classes, Monday-Friday mornings
    Main deliverable / output: Mock court defense presentation

    Defending the Accused summary

    Northwestern's criminal defense seminar follows a client's case from initial consultation to courtroom advocacy. It combines legal reasoning with questions about evidence, ethics and social justice.

    You practice advocacy through role-playing, receive constructive feedback and present a defense in mock court. It suits students who want to test their interest in criminal law through active participation.

    What is Defending the Accused: From Arrest to Acquittal?

    Defending the Accused: From Arrest to Acquittal is an IN FOCUS seminar in Northwestern University's College Preparation Program. It explores criminal defense through client interviewing, case analysis, defense strategy and trial advocacy, connecting practical legal skills with ethical and social justice questions.

    Joshua Jones teaches through lectures, role-playing, constructive feedback and discussions. Students examine the criminal pretrial process, wrongful convictions and evidence before presenting a client's defense in mock court and serving as judge and jury for classmates.

    Why Succeed highlights Defending the Accused

    • The course connects legal analysis with a concrete task: defending a client in mock court.

    • Joshua Jones brings criminal defense experience and leadership of Northwestern Law's trial advocacy center.

    • Constructive feedback and role-playing let students practice advocacy rather than only listen to lectures.

    • Discussion of wrongful convictions, race, poverty and mental health gives courtroom skills a wider ethical context.

    • Successful completion produces an official Northwestern transcript and certificate.

    Who is Defending the Accused for?

    Best for

    Students curious about criminal defense who enjoy complex problems, discussion and presenting arguments.

    Not ideal if

    You prefer passive lectures or want a broad survey of every area of law; the course centers on defending clients in the US criminal justice system.

    Is Defending the Accused worth it?

    This seminar is worth considering if you want to test whether criminal defense interests you beyond courtroom drama. Client interviewing, legal reasoning and mock court advocacy offer practical ways to explore that interest, with feedback from an experienced defense attorney.

    The fee makes the value depend on how much you will use the teaching and campus experience. A short seminar provides an introduction rather than professional training, and participation does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,625; $5,235; includes Seminar tuition and program fee, Constructive feedback and mock court advocacy, Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series, Official transcript and certificate upon successful completion, Room and board with the residential option.

    Accommodation

    Northwestern residence hall option

    Meals

    Residential room and board

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Evanston, Illinois, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Defending the Accused need?

    Effort level

    Substantial participation, with 30 scheduled classroom hours.

    Best started

    Begin six to eight weeks before a future application deadline; allow longer for English testing and international travel.

    Main challenge

    Turning case analysis into a clear, persuasive defense.

    Typical preparation

    • Prepare examples of rewarding academic work for the two-question personal statement.

    • Request English-language transcripts and assemble your extracurricular activities list.

    • Practice summarizing an argument aloud and distinguishing factual claims from supporting evidence.

    • Keep the class period clear of conflicting commitments and plan housing or travel early.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in advocacy and criminal justice.

    What do students do on Defending the Accused?

    You follow a criminal defense case from client consultation through legal analysis and courtroom advocacy. Lectures, discussions and role-playing build toward a final mock court defense.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Practice interviewing a client and identifying the issues in the case.

    2. 2

      Read statutes and case law to develop legal reasoning and a defense strategy.

    3. 3

      Explore pretrial procedures, evidence, wrongful convictions and ethical questions.

    4. 4

      Practice examination and advocacy skills with constructive feedback.

    5. 5

      Present your client's defense in mock court and serve as judge and jury for classmates.

    Defending the Accused dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    Summer 2026 on-campus College Prep application deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    5-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Complete freshman, sophomore or junior year of high school.

    • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0.

    • US and international students may apply.

    • Submit English proficiency scores when language or schooling requirements apply.

    • Off-campus students must live with a responsible adult over 18.

    How much does Defending the Accused cost?

    Commuter program fee

    $3,625 — Two-week tuition and program fee.

    Funding or discounts

    • Residential program fee: $5,235 — Includes tuition, program fee, room and board.
    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable.
    • Enrollment deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; credited toward the total fee.
    • Tuition scholarship: Financial need and achievement criteria apply to domestic US rising seniors.
    • International insurance: $134 — Two weeks at $67 weekly without US-based medical insurance.
    • Returning-student fee waiver: Former College Prep students may request an application fee waiver.

    What's included

    Seminar tuition and program fee, Constructive feedback and mock court advocacy, Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series, Official transcript and certificate upon successful completion, Room and board with the residential option

    How to apply to Defending the Accused

    1. 1

      Use Northwestern's on-campus College Prep admissions route for IN FOCUS seminars.

    2. 2

      Write approximately 500 words answering both personal statement questions.

    3. 3

      List extracurricular activities with involvement dates, descriptions and your roles.

    4. 4

      Arrange English-language transcripts and any required English proficiency score.

    5. 5

      Submit the complete application with the $60 fee or an approved waiver.

    6. 6

      If admitted, pay the $1,000 deposit within three weeks to secure enrollment.

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    What does Defending the Accused cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Client interviewing and case analysis

    Practice interviewing clients, reading legal sources and developing a defense strategy.

    Evidence and wrongful convictions

    Examine DNA, expert witnesses and how faulty evidence can contribute to wrongful convictions.

    Pretrial procedure and social justice

    Explore bail reform, discovery, mental health, race, poverty and ethical issues in criminal cases.

    Trial advocacy

    Practice examination, presenting evidence and arguments before delivering a mock court defense.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Defending the Accused?

    A typical day during the program.

    Seminar classes

    Classes run 9:15 AM-12:15 PM Central Time, combining lectures, discussions and role-playing.

    Final defense

    Present a client's defense in mock court and participate in classmates' cases.

    Who teaches on Defending the Accused?

    Joshua Jones directs the Bartlit Center for Trial Advocacy at Northwestern Law, teaches evidence and trial advocacy, and coaches the law school's trial teams. His criminal defense experience includes federal cases and appeals, alongside directing trials and training at the Travis County Public Defender's Office.

    Where do students stay on Defending the Accused?

    Residential plan

    • University residence hall: Stay in a Northwestern residence hall with common areas and quiet study rooms.
    • Dining and dietary support: University dining includes vegan dishes and dietician support for special dietary requirements.
    • Residential staff: Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support academic and social adjustment.
    • Campus resources: Access libraries, computer labs and campus beaches; gymnasium access starts at age 16.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter option: Attend classes while living at home or with nearby relatives.
    • Activities and excursions: Commuters can join the Get Ready Series, excursions and planned social activities.
    • Meal purchases: Commuters may purchase meals at the Norris University Center.

    Residential students follow checkout and check-in rules when exploring independently; off-campus students must stay with a responsible adult over 18.

    What happens after Defending the Accused?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build foundational legal reading and reasoning skills.

    Develop courtroom advocacy through a final mock defense.

    Evaluate whether criminal defense could be a future career.

    Earn a Northwestern certificate upon successful completion.

    Receive an official Northwestern transcript.

    Participation does not guarantee admission to Northwestern University.

    Where does Defending the Accused take place?

    Northwestern's College Prep experience takes place on its 240-acre lakefront campus in Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago. Students can experience university facilities and Summer Session cultural and recreational activities.

    Defending the Accused FAQs

    You will study criminal defense, client interviewing, case analysis, defense strategy, evidence and trial advocacy. The course also examines wrongful convictions, bail reform, discovery, mental health, race and poverty.

    Joshua Jones, Director of Northwestern Law's Bartlit Center for Trial Advocacy, teaches the seminar. His experience includes federal criminal defense and directing trials and training at the Travis County Public Defender's Office.

    You present a defense on behalf of a client in a mock court setting. You also act as judge and jury for cases presented by classmates.

    Successful completion earns an official Northwestern University transcript and certificate. A Satisfactory grade requires attendance and participation in all classes and completion of all assignments.

    Yes. Commuter students may live at home or with nearby relatives, and off-campus students must be housed with a responsible adult over 18 throughout the program.

    Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support students in university residence halls. Students may explore without staff accompaniment, but must follow checkout and check-in rules.

    Tuition scholarships are available to domestic US students entering their senior year who demonstrate financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement. A separate scholarship application and a complete program application, including transcripts, are required.

    No. Participation can form part of a college application profile, but does not guarantee acceptance to Northwestern University.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Campus Life, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Northwestern Pre-College Online Program
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • IN FOCUS Seminar Series | Northwestern SPS: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course content verified

    • Instructor credentials reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements checked

    • Application deadline verified

    • Booking tiers compared

    • Residential policies reviewed

    • Financial aid criteria checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.