Biography
Professor Schmidt joined the faculty in 2007. He received his B.S. degree in 1987 and spent the next eight years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He received his M.A. degree in 1994 and his J.D. in 1998. Following law school, he worked in the Lancaster County Attorney's Office. As a Deputy County Attorney, he primarily prosecuted sexual assault and domestic violence cases, but also handled a wide variety of other felony and misdemeanor cases.
Currently, Professor Schmidt is heavily involved in an on-going project with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to assist as Mexico transitions its criminal justice system from a mixed inquisitorial to an oral adversarial model. He spends several weeks each semester in Mexico City teaching advocacy skills and working on that project.
He is an active member of the bar, serving as the Program Chair/President Elect for Inns of Court and as a member of the Lincoln Bar Association, having previously served as its president. In 2010, Professor Schmidt was presented the Warren K. Urbom Mentor Award by the Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court. When not working, Professor Schmidt enjoys spending time outside - riding his motorcycle, fishing or enjoying time with his sons.
Currently, Professor Schmidt is heavily involved in an on-going project with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to assist as Mexico transitions its criminal justice system from a mixed inquisitorial to an oral adversarial model. He spends several weeks each semester in Mexico City teaching advocacy skills and working on that project.
He is an active member of the bar, serving as the Program Chair/President Elect for Inns of Court and as a member of the Lincoln Bar Association, having previously served as its president. In 2010, Professor Schmidt was presented the Warren K. Urbom Mentor Award by the Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court. When not working, Professor Schmidt enjoys spending time outside - riding his motorcycle, fishing or enjoying time with his sons.
Courses
Clinical Practice-Criminal Law 799/G (3-6 cr hr)
Open only to students with senior standing. Participation in a seminar concentrating on the development of skills necessary to the prosecution and defense of criminal cases is required. Students prosecute a variety of misdemeanor offenses under the close supervision of a member of the faculty. Cases are prosecuted through the Lancaster County Attorney's Office and the practice component of the course is conducted out of that office.
Articles
Books
Other
- Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Media
Education
- J.D., with distinction, 1998, University of Nebraska College of Law
- Order of the Barristers, 1998
- M.A., Distinguished Graduate, 1994, Webster University
- B.S., 1987, University of Nebraska
Areas of Expertise
Appointments
- Associate Professor of Law, 2013
- Courtesy Associate Professor of Forensic Science, 2013
- Assistant Professor of Law, 2007
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, 2006