Criminal Procedure
Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: Daire Irwin

This intensive course deals with the constitutional dimensions of criminal law and procedure. Students will leave the course with an appreciation of how the U.S. Constitution focuses on the rights of the accused and the impact upon our law enforcement system.


EXPECTATIONS: This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of about 8 hours per week reading and completing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of 45 course contact hours. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.


OBJECTIVE: To become familiar with the aspects of criminal procedure.


REQUIRED TEXT: The required text for this course is Criminal Procedure: Constitutional Limitations in a Nutshell, 7th Edition, Israel and LaFave, Nutshell Series, and may be purchased from The Center for Legal Studies. Call 1-800-522-7737 or visit our store on this site to order.

Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:
Lesson One: The Constitution and Civil Liberties

Read Chapters 1 & 2 in Criminal Procedure: Constitutional Limitations (Nutshell)

Lesson Two: Arrest, Probable Cause, Search and Seizure, Warrants, Warrantless Search and Seizure, and Consent Searches Read Chapter 2 in Nutshell
Lesson Three: Surveillance, Police Interrogation, Miranda Warnings, and Confessions Read Chapters 3 & 4 in Nutshell
Lesson Four: Lineups, Right to Counsel, Waiver of Counsel, Exclusionary Rule, and the Good Faith Exception

Read Chapters 5, 6, & 7 in Nutshell

Lesson Five: Privilege against Self-incrimination, Compelling Witness Testimony, and Compelling Production of Documents Read Chapter 8 in Nutshell
Lesson Six: Bail, Right to Speedy Trial, Trial by Jury, Plea Bargaining, Harmless Error, and Appeals Read Chapter 9 in Nutshell

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment covering the topics in that lesson's reading. These assignments are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.

EXAMS: You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments; the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:
  • The six writing assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.
  • The two exams are worth 100 points and comprise 50% of your grade.
  • Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.

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