Keys to Justice

Long before the students at Western State University College of Law have to cram for the bar, they have to face virtual justice.

The school in Fullerton uses a series of CD-ROM programs in computer labs to help students hone their courtroom skills. Crowded around a computer monitor, students listen to a client interview and interrupt when something goes wrong.

Students at Western State routinely browse through interactive titles by Practicing Law Institute and Harvard University’s educational technology department. The software lets users practice taking depositions, scanning through search warrants and refining their negotiation techniques.

This kind of digital training has become popular among law schools over the last several years, educators said. The key, they say, is that the simulated environment is risk-free.

“You don’t have to worry about getting sued by your client or allowing the police to make a mistake that could jeopardize the district attorney’s case,” school librarian Cindy Parkhurst said.

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P.J. Huffstutter covers high technology for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7830 and at p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com