Court Systems & Practices
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Course Dates/Times:27 Oct – 19 Dec / 1800-2100
In Class sessions– meets one day each weekwith additional weekly online discussions and assignments
Instructor: TBA
Office Hours:
Instructor Email:
Phone:
I.INTRODUCTION
A.This course provides an examination of the role of the judiciary in the criminal justice system. It includes the structure of the American court system, prosecution, right to counsel, pre-trial release, grand juries, adjudication process, types and rules of evidence, and sentencing.
B.It is a required course for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program.
C.This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation forcareers in criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections.
D.Prerequisite(s): None
II.LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Court Systems and Practices, the student will:
- Discuss the nature and extent of individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution and discuss in depth those rights in the 4th, 5th, & 6th Amendments that constitute the heart of the law of criminal procedure.
- Describe the American judiciary system and its structure.
- Identify the roles of judicial officers and the trial processes from pretrial to sentencing and interpret the role of evidence.
- Apply the law of arrest, search and seizure, confessions, and pretrial identification, to particular fact situations, in each case.
III.INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A.The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
Insert student textbook information here
B.Resources:
1. Neubauer, David, America's Courts and The Criminal Justice System, 7th Ed,
Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth Publishing, 2002.
2. Bohm, Robert M. and Keith N. Haley, Introduction to Criminal Justice, McGraw-Hill, 2010.
3. Smith, Christopher E, Courts, Politics, and the Judicial Process, 2nd Ed,
Chicago, IL: Nelson-Hall Inc., 2002.
4. Ferdico, John N, Henry F. Fradella, Christopher D. Totten, Criminal Procedure, 11th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.
IV.COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B.You should attend class regularly in both face-to-face and online Blackboard classes. Online attendance involves logging into your Blackboard class and participating in discussions, submitting assignments, etc. Be prepared to also take any unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog:
C.You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D.From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E.You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F.Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G.Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H.Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V.COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via email. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments.
The course will meet for eight weeks--oncea week--for a three-hour (change to suit your class) face-to-facesession. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly online discussion boards to develop case studies and group collaboration/projects.
VI.EXAMINATIONS
A.There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1.Mid-term exam on (date)
2.Final exam on (date)
3. Paper and/or Project (please specify)due on (date)
B.A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D.Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VII.SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
(Adapt to your class as needed.)
EXAM POINTS POINTS GRADES
Quizzes 200 900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
Mid-Term Exam 250 800- 899 B=3 pts/sem hr
Final exam 350 700- 799 C=2 pts/sem hr
Participation/Posts 50 600- 699 D=1 pt/sem hr
Paper/Project 150 0- 599 F=0 pts/sem hr
------
TOTAL 1000
A term paper is expected from all students. The instructor may need to teach this
concept during the course.
Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities. You can expect to
acquire these educational abilities only if you honor all course policies, attend classes
regularly, and complete all assignment work in good faith and on time.
VIII.NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
- Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details, at
- GoArmyEdstudents should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/orinstitutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
- Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
- Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade. This date can be determined by the instructor but must be within 45 days of the course end date. After completion of the work the instructor can then change the grade of “IP” to the appropriate letter grade. If this work is not completed by the specified date the instructor will change the grade to “F”.
- Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
- Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
- Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX.COURSE OUTLINE(Please enter the dates or session number of when you plan on going over each of the units below – include when exams and papers/projects will be due.)
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via the internet. It is the students’ responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may email the instructor. The class is broken down into eight (Modify to suit your class) sessions. See below for course outline.
Session 1- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
- Unit One: Course Introduction and Chapter 1, Individual Rights Under the United States Constitution
1. Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand the historical context that gave birth to the concern for the individual rights embodied in the United States Constitution.
b. Explain how the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government are involved in the protection of the constitutional rights of citizens.
c. Understand the individual rights protected by the original Constitution of 1788, and the terms habeas corpus, bill of attainder, ex post facto law, and treason.
d. Explain the general nature and limits of the rights embodied in the Bill of Rights, especially:
The First Amendment;
The Fourth Amendment;
The Fifth Amendment;
The Sixth Amendment;
The Eighth Amendment.
e. Understand the concepts of due process and equal protection as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Discuss course requirements and activities as contained in the syllabus
b. Classroom lecture/discussion
c. Reading assignment: Chapter 1
d. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 2- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
B. Unit Two: Chapter 2, Criminal Courts, Pretrial Processes, and the Exclusionary Rule
1. Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the structure of the court system of the United States.
b. Trace the progress of a criminal case through its various stages.
c. Understand the characteristics and functions of a complaint, an affidavit, a summons, a warrant, an indictment, information, a motion, a subpoena, and a deposition.
d. Explain the differences between preliminary hearings, grand jury proceedings, and arraignments.
e. Understand the meaning of prosecutorial discretion.
f. Understand the plea-bargaining and discovery processes.
g. Understand the difference between venue and jurisdiction.
h. Understand the rights, duties, and functions of the judge, the jury, the prosecuting attorney, and the defendant in a criminal trial.
i. Understand the powers of and limitations on judges in determining the sentence.
j. Explain the major differences between appeal and habeas corpus.
k. Understand the significance, history of and reasons for the exclusionary rule.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 3- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
C. Unit Three: Chapter 3, Basic Underlying Concepts: Privacy, Probable Cause, and Reasonableness
1. Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand generally the nature of the right of privacy in the law of criminal procedure.
b. Define probable cause to search and to arrest.
c. Know the indications of criminal activity that support probable cause.
d. Understand the two-pronged test of the Aguilar case for establishing probable cause.
e. Understand how an informant’s information can be bolstered by corroboration in order to establish probable cause.
f. Explain the Gates “totality-of-the-circumstances” test for determining probable cause.
g. Define reasonableness and understand generally its importance in the law of criminal procedure.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 3
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 4- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
- Unit Four: Chapter 4, Criminal Investigatory Search Warrants
1. Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Know the general history of the development of the Fourth Amendment.
b. Understand probable cause.
c. Know how to obtain a search warrant including the affidavit process.
d. Know how to execute a search warrant.
e. Know the differences between an administrative search warrant and a criminal search warrant.
f. Describe anticipatory search warrants.
g. Understand what makes a warrant constitutionally defective.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 4
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 5- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
E.Unit Five: Chapter 5, Searches for Electronically Stored Information and Electronic Surveillance
1. Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Describe the early developments in electronic interceptions law.
b. Have a general understanding of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, including the following:
1. Familiarity with the conflicting demands for more effective law enforcement and individual privacy rights;
2. Knowledge of several ways in which Title III provides for judicial supervision of electronic surveillance.
3. Understanding of the similarities and differences between an interception order under Title III and an ordinary search warrant;
4. Knowledge of specific ways in which Title III protects individual rights, especially privacy rights;
c. Understanding of the types of interceptions of wire, oral, or electronic communications that are expected from coverage under Title III.
d. Know what FISA applications are.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 5
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 6- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
F. Unit Six: Chapter 6, Administrative and Special Needs Searches
- Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
- Understand special warrant requirements for administrative searches.
- Know the exceptions to administrative warrant requirements.
- Be able to distinguish between administrative and criminal searches.
- Understand different types of special needs searches.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 6
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
Session 7- (insert dates) Intro and Lesson One (insert specific lessons or chapters)
i. Class will meet face to face insert date (0000 to 0000)
ii. Online assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
G. UnitSeven: Chapter 7, Arrests, Searches Incident to Arrest, and Protective Sweeps
1. Unit Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Define the elements of a formal arrest.
b. Understand the distinctions among the terms seizure, stop, and seizure tantamount to arrest (de facto arrest).