Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: Cam Arifjan, Kuwait
Course Dates/Times: February 5, 2018 – March 18, 2018; Monday- 1800 - 2200
In Class sessions – February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, with additional weekly CTC Blackboard discussions and assignments
Instructor: Mr. Bernard McGee
Office Hours: TBD
Instructor Email:
Phone: +1 404-481-0202 or +965 9951 0923
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This course will involve the exploration of police authority. Topics include responsibilities and constitutional constraints, law of arrest, search and seizure, and police liability.
B. This is a criminal justice required course in the Associate of Applied Science degree program.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, and corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): (None)
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement, the student will be able to:
A. Define police authority.
B. Explain the responsibilities and constitutional restraints as enumerated in the Texas Constitution, the United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
C. Outline the law of arrest and search and seizure developed through court decisions.
D. Describe the criminal and civil liabilities that result from improper acts and/or the failure to act.
E. Define and differentiate between private and public law-contrasting Constitutional law, statutory law, and common law.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/booksinstructional-materials/.
Student Textbook:
· Del Carment, Rolando V. (2014). Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement. (9th ed.) Cengage.
ISBN: 9781285486215
· Texas Criminal and Traffic Law Manual 2015-2016. Lexis Nexis.
ISBN: 9781632830722
B. References:
1. Black’s Law Dictionary
2. U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and latest Amendments, and Texas Constitution
3. U.S. Codes (select Civil and Criminal Codes)
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 Central Texas College (CTC) 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.
Students guilty of scholastic dishonesty will be administratively dropped from the course with a grade of “F” and be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion.
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 CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to CTC Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility to log into CTC Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for six weeks--once a week--for a four-hour face-to-face session. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly CTC Blackboard assignments and discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
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 Feb. 26, 2018
2. Final exam on March 18, 2018
3. Term Paper and/or Term Project March 12
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.
E. If final exam is online, it will be administered via BioSig application. See Blackboard class for registration information.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Participation 100 points
Assignments & Quizzes 200 points
Discussion Boards (mandatory) 200 points
Term Paper/Term Presentation 200 points
Mid-term Exam 100 points
Final Exam 200 points
Total possible points: 1000 points
POINTS GRADES
900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
800-899 B=3 pts/sem hr
700-799 C=2 pts/sem hr
600-699 D=1 pt/sem hr
0-599 F=0 pts/sem hr
A term paper or term project is expected from all students. Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities, so the instructor may need to revisit the term paper concept during the course.
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. 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.
B. GoArmyEd students 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/or institutional 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.
C. 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.”
D. Faculty/Administrative Initiated Withdrawals
Faculty are authorized to withdraw students who are not making satisfactory course progress as outlined in the section of the Catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress Standards.
A student may be administratively withdrawn by a designated member of the administrative staff of the College under the following conditions:
· The student has been placed on Academic Suspension or Disciplinary Suspension;
· The student has an outstanding financial obligation owed to the college;
· The student registered for a course without the required prerequisite or departmental permission;
· Students who do not participate or complete graded activities during the first week will be administratively withdrawn.
The college is under no obligation to refund tuition and fees, or other costs associated with a student who is administratively withdrawn.
E. 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.
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.
G. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
H. 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
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 CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may communicate, via CTC Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into six sessions. See below for course outline.
SESSION 1 - February 5 – February 11, 2018
a) Class will meet face-to-face on Monday, February 5, 2018 from 18:00- 22:00
b) CTC Blackboard Discussion Board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
1. CTC Blackboard peer response to Discussion Board posts is due by Saturday midnight (European time)
c) CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
A. Unit One: Course Introduction and Ch. 1: The Court System, Sources of Rights, and Fundamental Principles
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
a. Identify and define the court systems in the United States.
b. Identify which criminal cases can be tried in both federal and state courts if punished in both jurisdictions.
c. Define and compare the meaning of jurisdiction and venue.
d. Define and explain the power of judicial review.
e. Define rule of law.
f. Identify and explain the four sources of legal rights.
g. Identify and compare four approaches to the incorporation controversy.
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
B. Unit Two: Ch. 2: Overview of the Criminal Justice Process.
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:
a. Define the procedures used when processing suspects and defendants before, during, and after a trial.
b. Identify and define the correct procedures and steps taken by the legal system before a case ever goes to trial from filing the complaint to the defendant's plea.
c. Identify the procedures taken before and during a trial from the selection of jurors to a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
d. Identify the two main procedures which take place after a trial.
e. Define what a habeas corpus petition is and when it is available.
f. Establish what procedures are governed by the Bill of Rights and if they are the same in all jurisdictions.
2. Learning Activities
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
SESSION 2 - February 12 – February 18, 2018
a) Class will meet face-to-face on Monday, February 12, 2018 from 18:00- 22:00
b) CTC Blackboard Discussion Board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
1. CTC Blackboard peer response to Discussion Board posts is due by Saturday midnight (European time)
c) CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Saturday midnight (European time)
C. Unit Three: Chapter 3: Probably Cause and Reasonable Suspicion
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
a. Identify and define the most important term to know in day-to-day law enforcement.
b. Compare and contrast the legal definition and the practical definition of probable cause.