AJS 109 - Criminal Law

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods
Historical development and philosophy of law and constitutional provisions. Includes definitions, classifications of crime and their application to the system of administration of justice, legal research, study of case law, methodology, and concepts of law as a social force.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

Outline:

Criminal Law
1. The nature and history
2. Crime
3. Deviance
Criminal Liability and the Essence of Crime
1. Rule of law
2. Due process of law
The Concept of Crime
1. “Mens rea”
2. “Mala in se”
3. “Corpus delicti”
4. Victimless crimes
The Nature of Defenses
1. Justifications
2. Excuses
3. Wharton’s rule
4. Insanity
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
Offenses
1. Public order and the administration of justice
2. Public morality
Victims and the Law
Criminal Punishment and Sentencing
1. Purpose
2. Arguments for and against