NITA Publications

State v. Chambers Case File

Officer Goodfellow pulled over Mark Chambers for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Chambers, although he did pull over, responded by battering Goodfellow. The defendant was arrested on two charges; however, those charges were severed and in this case file, Chambers is only being charged with battery. Chambers filed a complaint against Officer Goodfellow for misconduct, but a hearing determined that the complaint was unfounded. Based on an actual case, State v. Chambers focuses on many controversial issues. There are four witnesses for both the plaintiff and the defendant including two expert witnesses.

Law professors may request the teaching notes for this publication by emailing ReviewCopy@lexisnexis.com.

• >> TABLE OF CONTENTS
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
  
  Section I
  
  Problems
  
  Introduction
  
  Direct, Cross, and Redirect Examination
  1. Officer Thomas Goodfellow
  2. Mark Allen Chambers
  
  Handling and Introduction of Exhibits
  3. Photo
  4. The Handcuffs
  
  Impeachment and Redirect Examination
  5. Pat Cummings
  6. Leslie Wyatt
  
  Expert Witnesses
  7. Dr. Lane Callahan
  8. Dana Allison
  
  Jury Selection
  9. Problem
  Jury Information
  
  Opening Statements
  10. Problem
  
  Closing Arguments
  11. Problem
  
  
  Section II
  
  Case File
  
  Introduction
  
  Special Instructions for Use as a Full Trial
  
  Information
  
  Photographs
  Intersection of Broadway and 21st Street
  Chambers Mercedes
  Cummings Toyota
  The Handcuffs
  
  Diagrams
  Diagram of Intersection of Broadway and 21st Street
  Map of South Central Nita City
  
  Police Reports
  Offense Report By Officer Jan Denny
  Offense Report by Officer Thomas Goodfellow
  
  Hospital Reports
  Emergency Record of Treatment of Mark Chambers
  Emergency Record of Treatment of Officer Thomas Goodfellow
  
  Arrest Records
  Mark Allen Chambers
  Pat Cummings
  Leslie Wyatt
  
  Testimony at Preliminary Hearing
  Officer Jan Denny
  Pat Cummings
  Officer Thomas Goodfellow
  Dr. Lane Callahan
  
  Nita Police Commission Hearing
  Letter from Leslie Wyatt
  Testimony of Leslie Wyatt
  Testimony of Pamela Chambers
  Testimony of Mark Allen Chambers
  Findings of the Nita Police Commission
  
  Report of Dana Allison
  
  Applicable Nita Criminal Code and Vehicle Code Sections
  
  Jury Instructions
  
  Verdict Form
  
  November 17, 2010

• >> AUTHORS
  
  
  • Lincoln N. Mintz
    
    
    • Lincoln N. Mintz is a former California attorney and co-author of State v. Chambers.

  
  

  • Joseph E. Taylor
    
    
    • Joseph E. Taylor is a former public defender who now teaches trial advocacy at McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. He has participated in hundreds of felony jury trials, having served as the public defender for Riverside County (managing a nine-office organization with seventy-six attorneys), eight years as an assistant chief deputy for the Sacramento County District Attorney's office, a senior attorney with the Ventura County DA's office, supervising three units, including the major crimes unit, and occasionally prosecuting or defending criminal trials pro bono is his spare time. He has authored or co-authored ten trial practice cases and has excelled both in the courtroom and classroom. He was named both Professor of the Year (McGeorge School of Law, 2004) and Prosecutor of the Year (State of California, 1982- 1983). He actively litigates during the summer months, has served as judge pro tem in Sacramento Superior Court for the last fourteen years, and is currently a member of the California Parole Advocacy Program Advisory Committee.