1. Select a recent crime reported in the news and, using the factors provided for in the Federal Bail Reform Act, explain why the accused should or should not be granted pretrial release.
2. You are a defense attorney preparing for a criminal trial and know very little about the crime and surrounding circumstances. What are your best tools for learning more about the crime to prepare for trial and how can you utilize them? Give examples of tools available through the courts and independent means of investigating the crime.