The critical stages of a criminal proceeding require skillful lawyering by both the prosecution and the defense. This course will focus on the applicable substantive law and best practices by both the prosecution and defense at several of these critical stages, including (1) motions seeking release pending trial, (2) motions to suppress, (3) motions challenging the voluntariness of a confession, (4) motions asserting a Brady violation, (5) plea bargaining, and (6) taking a guilty plea.