Criminal Law

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Nunotte Zama

CJP 140 - Criminal Court Process

TEACHING PROCEDURES

Instructor: Nunotte Zama, Esquire Classroom: 3-441 Section: 01

Time: Monday & Wednesday 1:30-2:45 PM

Office: 4th Floor, Room 430, Academic Building

Telephone: (617) 212-5922 (cell) or 617-427-0060 x 5124

Email: nzama@rcc.mass.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

3 credits; 3 lecture hours. This course provides an overview of the history and present-day operation of the criminal justice process in the United States. Students analyze the role, responsibility and authority of each of the components of the system: police, courts, corrections and rehabilitation. They will also explore and examine the underlying principles and values of justice.

REQUIRED TEXT

We will be using online OER materials. Links that corresponds to each topic that we will be discussing in class are posted in the schedule of reading below.

http://www.oercommons.org/courses/criminal-law-2/view

You should consider purchasing a law dictionary if you are a Criminal Justice student and you do not own one. Blacks’ and Oran’s are two well-known versions. Law dictionaries are available for sale at the college bookstore. You can also find one in the college library. This is not required, but you may find it helpful.

POLICIES

POLICY ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CLASS

Students may use electronic devices in class ONLY for taking notes. All other uses are strictly prohibited. All mobile telephones and other electronic communication devices must be placed on vibrate during class periods. If a student receives an emergency call during class, please leave the classroom until the call is completed.

POLICY ON READING AND ASSIGNMENTS

It is essential that students complete all readings and assignments prior to the class in which they are to be discussed. If you miss a class, you are required to contact another student, or to see me, to obtain the next assignment so that you can be prepared for the next class. Since class participation counts toward your final grade, failure to be prepared may result in a lowering of your grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

NOTICE TO STUDENTS: Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Students who are absent from class more than two times, without an excuse satisfactory to the Instructor, or who have fallen behind the work of the class so that it is not likely the student can attain a passing grade, may be dropped from the course.

In addition, since class attendance counts toward your final grade in this course, failure to attend class may result in a lower final grade even if you are not dropped from the course.

ASSIGNMENT AND COURSE GRADE POLICY

1. All assignments must be completed on time unless you have obtained an extension from the Instructor for good cause.

2. All written assignments must be typed and spell checked unless you have special permission from the Instructor.

3. All homework assignments and in-class exercises MUST be completed on time.

If you have any additional questions regarding this, or any other, course policy, please see your Instructor.

ACADEMIC ETHICS

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the use of any other person’s work or ideas as though the work or ideas were your own, without giving appropriate credit.

In order to avoid a charge of plagiarism, proper citation or credit must be given to the author when a source is used on a paper or assignment. The improper use of the work of others will not be tolerated, and may result in the student’s expulsion from the college.

Cheating

Improper actions during tests or assignments will result in the student being reported to the college administration for further action.

LEARNING ACCOMMODATION/DIVERSITY & DISABILITY STATEMENT

Roxbury Community College (RCC) values diversity and is committed to providing all qualified college students equal access to all programs and facilities. RCC strives to create inclusive and welcoming academic environments. Your professor and Disability Services should be notified as soon as possible if there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that present barriers to your success in this course.

Students with known or suspected physical, medical, sensory, psychological, and or learning disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Services in order to assess learning needs and take advantage of available academic accommodations. The Director of Disability Services, Joshua Crary, is located in 3-201A. He can also be reached at jcrary@rcc.mass.edu or 857-701-1410.

COURSE INFORMATION

NOTE: Students will be tested on all material covered in the syllabus, although some information may not be discussed in class.

NEW VOCABULARY LIST

Throughout the semester, students in this course are expected to keep a list of all new Criminal Justice vocabulary words and concepts they learn. The list should include each new word or concept and the definition of that word or concept. This list is part of the required work for this course.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

The Criminal Justice Bulletin Board is located in the hallway on the fourth floor of the Academic Building, next to Room 417. Please be sure to check the board regularly for important articles, job opportunities and assignments.

Course materials and information will be presented through assigned readings from the textbook, instructor lectures and participation in class discussions, guest lecturers, videos, handouts, writing assignments and special projects. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and in collaborative or group learning exercises.

COURSE GRADE

A. Attendance 10 points

B. Participation 10 points

C. Homework assignments & in-class exercise 10 points

D Mid-Term Exam 30 points

F. Final Exam 40 points

100 points/100%

NOTE

Students who are absent for tests, quizzes or in-class assignments, without prior permission from the instructor, will not be permitted a make-up.

TESTING METHODS

Tests and quizzes in this class will generally require the student to analyze fact patterns and to answer questions based upon those fact patterns Both the Midterm and Final exams are cumulative, that is, they will cover all materials in the course up to the date of the exam.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course will:

1. Provide an introduction to the history, philosophy and function of the criminal court system;

2. Describe and analyze the roles and selection process for courtroom actors;

3. Describe and analyze the steps in the criminal trial;

4. Explore the rules of evidence; and

5. Explain the philosophy of criminal sentencing and explore alternatives to incarceration.

ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1 The Legal Battlefield

Objective: The student will be able to identify, discuss and analyze sources of law, the functions of courts and court processes and outcomes.

WEEK 2 The Structure of American Courts

Objective: The student will be able to identify, discuss and analyze general principles of court organization, the differences between the federal and state court systems and the administration of the courts.

WEEK 3 The Prosecution Guest Speaker

Objective: The student will be able to discuss and analyze issues respecting the role and responsibilities of the prosecution.

WEEK 4 The Defense Guest Speaker

Objective: The student will be able to discuss and analyze issues respecting the role and responsibilities of the defense attorney.

WEEK 5 Judges Guest Speaker

Objective: The students will be able to discuss and analyze issues concerning the selection of both federal and state judges, including the screening process and the differences between selection and election of judges and will be able to identify, discuss and analyze issues respecting the background and experience of judges, the importance of diversity on the bench and the methods available to control judicial behavior.

WEEK 6 Juries Guest Speakers

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss and analyze roles of the jury in the system.

WEEK 7 Pretrial Procedures and Trial Process

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss and analyze the types of criminal cases, the roles of the participants in criminal courts, the place of plea bargaining in the system and the steps in the criminal trial.

MIDTERM EXAM

WEEK 8 Pretrial Procedures/Plea Bargaining

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss and analyze the issues and strategies involved in the process of plea bargaining.

WEEK 9 Sentencing goals and Structures Guest Speakers

WEEK 10 The Rules of Evidence Powerpoint Presentation or Movie

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss and analyze the rules of evidence and the protocols for the admission of evidentiary items.

WEEK 11 Judicial Sentencing Options, disparities, appeals Handouts/Guest Speaker

Objective: The student will be able to identify, discuss and analyze sentencing issues in the federal and state court systems and will be able to apply federal and state sentencing guidelines to cases.

WEEK 12 The Juvenile Justice Systems

Objective: The student will be able to identify, discuss, and analyze issues in the legal system pertaining to juvenile.

WEEK 13 Juvenile Courts: Adjudication and Disposition

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss, and analyze the sentencing issues pertaining to the sentencing, adjudication, and disposition of juvenile criminal cases.

WEEK14 Diversion, Alternative dispute resolution, and Specialty Courts

Objective: The students will be able to identify, discuss, and analyze the different alternatives to criminal prosecution.

WEEK 15 Courts, Media, and Litigation Explosion

EXAM REVIEW FINAL EXAM – RESEARCH PAPER & IN-CLASS PRESENTATION