LAWS165 Criminal Procedure for the Paralegal

Department of Business Studies: Paralegal/Law

  1. Course Number and Title

    LAWS165 Criminal Procedure for the Paralegal (Experimental)

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    LAWS100 (C or better) or LAWS110 (C or better)

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course offers an overview of criminal procedure for the paralegal by focusing on criminal investigation, legal pleadings, discovery, and trial preparation. Law office management will also be stressed. Students also learn about bail arraignment, alternate resolutions, pretrial motions, trial skills, sentencing, and ethical challenges.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Explain the elements of criminal procedure and practice as they relate to criminal arrests in local state and federal courts from both the prosecution and defendant standpoint.
      2. Demonstrate the role of the paralegal in assisting an attorney or group of attorneys in the prosecution or defense of a criminal action, including the drafting of documents and pursuit of pretrial discovery.
      3. Illustrate the unique ethical and legal rules that apply to the practice of criminal law.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      Each of the below topics will be researched and discussed by looking at the law and the paralegals role in preparing a defense or assisting the prosecution in building a case. We will research and discuss the paralegals role in preparing motions, conducting interviews and assistant attorneys with all aspects of trial preparation.
      1. Introduction to course, Introduction to the Practice and Procedure of Criminal Law
      2. Arrest and Search and Seizure
      3. Post Arrest and Grand Jury
      4. Evidence
      5. Interrogation, Confessions and Miranda
      6. Arraignment and Discovery
      7. Principals, Accessories and Attempt
      8. Crimes Against the Person
      9. Sex Crimes Cases
      10. Property Crimes
      11. Crimes Against Public Order
      12. Trial
      13. Defenses
      14. Sentencing and Appeal

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        1. 3 Exams
        2. Written Assignments

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      1. Textbook
      2. BB Vista
      3. Various court cases, police reports, newspaper and journal articles

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date: unavailable