AJS 109 - Criminal Law

1. Explain the concepts of crime and criminal liability.
2. Identify the types of defenses commonly used when facing charges in the court system.
3. Indicate the sentencing standards related to various criminal offenses.
4. Write reports, case briefs, policy papers and/or problem-solving papers; demonstrating mastery of English grammar, spelling, syntax and composition. Competency 1.1
5. Apply criminal law to fact patterns. Competency 2.1
6. Determine the theory of a crime and elements of the crime to be proved. Competency 3.2

1. Criminal Law
   1. The nature and history
   2. Crime
   3. Deviance
2. Criminal Liability and the Essence of Crime
   1. Rule of law
   2. Due process of law
3. The Concept of Crime
   1. “Mens rea”
   2. “Mala in se”
   3. “Corpus delicti”
   4. Victimless crimes
4. The Nature of Defenses
   1. Justifications
   2. Excuses
   3. Wharton’s rule
   4. Insanity
5. Legal and Social Dimensions of Personal Crimes
   1. Homicide
   2. Murder
   3. Manslaughter
      1. Voluntary
      2. Involuntary
   4. Assault, battery, and other personal crimes
   5. Property and computer crimes
6. Offenses
   1. Public order and the administration of justice
   2. Public morality
7. Victims and the Law
8. Criminal Punishment and Sentencing
   1. Purpose
   2. Arguments for and against