Sigh. I have a crim law final in 14 days and I know nothing. I hate this class so much. I have only spent, maybe 20 hours on crim this semester. What should I do? It's a take home with an excruciatingly tight word limit. Very heavy on policy. Prof doesn't have any past exams.

Should I just use a past outline and start working through crim hypos? Should I spend a week going through my notes and making an outline and a week doing hypos? Should I outline and do hypos at the same time? Should I collect some flowcharts?

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I like the Dressler supplement if you have time to read/skim relevant chapters for your class.

It's a take home, so I wouldn't waste precious time with a formal outline because you can reference any material that you want (unless it's an insanely tight time restriction). If time is severely limited, use either a commercial outline that is keyed to your text or a 2L's outline from the same professor. I don't have much experience with policy, as the only policy question on my crim exam was a third part that was essentially an afterthought. Regardless, I wouldn't waste time with making an outline. I would use the prep materials from others, and do some hypos to practice and tighten up your skills in writing a clear, concise and well-reasoned answer.

The Acing Crim supplement worked for me. Really quick and to the point.

Has the professor published in the field? If so read any articles relevant to the topic. That should help with the policy.

Dude, if it's an open book take home with a reasonable time limit do this:

Get Dressler's Understanding Criminal Law (overnight it).

Read all the relevant sections pertaining to your class. You could DEFINITELY read it all between now and your exam. Crim is very easy, and that book reads fast - no bullshit. Highlight stuff.

The Dressler book has policy components for nearly everything you'd need them for on the exam. If it's heavily policy, then you can essentially just re-state what that book says about each issue.

I'm assuming he isn't making it some kind of honor system modified open book test where you can't use professional supplemental materials.

Someone told me it's worth signing up for BarBri for the criminal law lecture?

Can anyone vouch for this?

This would almost definitely be an enormous time suck that wouldn't yield any benefits.