Foreword: the American Criminal Law Review's Directed notes program.

• Author: Maris, Marika
• Position: NOTES

The American Criminal Law Review endeavours to publish scholarship that is novel and interesting, that takes a stance on an issue, and that varies in its scope and coverage. We are fortunate to receive submissions from many talented authors who produce great pieces of writing. Our journal is also fortunate to have a talented staff, and we are proud to showcase some of our members' writing in this issue. Three members of our own staff have written incredibly fresh Notes that vary not only in their topic coverage but also in their method of writing and their view of the criminal justice system. The following Notes are also novel in that they were produced through an innovative program at the American Criminal Law Review: the Directed Notes Program. It gives me great pleasure to introduce these Notes and to describe a program that sets our journal apart from others.

The Directed Notes Program was developed some years ago to provide staff members with an opportunity to work closely with senior editors to produce a high quality Note on a narrow and interesting topic. Students apply for the program by choosing an issue of American criminal law. Since many of our students have a background in criminal law, have taken or are currently taking criminal law classes, or generally have an interest in criminal law, the submissions always focus on timely issues that have not been extensively researched in the past. We select students to participate in the program based on their topics, their previous writing and editing experience, their academic performance at law school, and their enthusiasm and motivation to create an academic piece of writing. Throughout the process of refining and researching their topic, outlining, and drafting, participants work closely with a third-year Note Development Editor, who provides research assistance, guidance, and support. The Notes Editor also reviews each outline and draft. This process allows the writer to think critically about his topic, explore additional research, and consider alternative organizational schema.

The...