Court Systems and Practices Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

CRIJ-1306-001 Court Systems and Practices

Prerequisites

Course Description

The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American Court System; prosecution; right to counsel; pretrial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; sentencing.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Courts and Criminal Justice in America, 1st edition. (2011) by Siegel, Larry J. with Schmalleger, Frank and Worrall, John L. ISBN-10: 013174576X

Supplies

\ All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active internet service, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.

Student Performance

1. Describe court and their purposes(s).
2. Explain the dual court system and describe which main court function  is most important: upholding the law, protecting people's rights, or resolving disputes.
3. Define the role of courts in criminal justice today.
4. Explain how legislatures exercise control over American courts.
5. Explain how higher courts exercise control over lower courts. Contrast how the interpretation of higher-court decisions by the lower courts shape such controls.
6. Describe how the federal courts developed.
7. Explain how the U.S. Constitution and federal legislation influence the development of the federal courts.
8. Describe the various types of federal courts at work in this country today.
9. Explain state court structure; specifically understand the structure of Texas state courts.
10. Explain what state court workloads are like.
11. Understand the legal protections available to children at both the federal and state levels today.
12. Identify and briefly describe  the most relevant U.S. Supreme Court juvenile justice decisions.
13. Discuss the various types of specialized courts; understand how they differ from other courts and explain how they developed.
14. Explain the process through which federal judgeships are occupied.
15. Discuss the qualifications necessary to become a federal or state judge.
16. Describe the process through which state judgeships are occupied.
17. Discuss the various types of prosecutors that work at federal, state, county and city levels and explain which type wields the most power.
18. Understand how the prosecutor's role developed over time.
19. Analyze prosecutorial discretion and describe how it affects charging decisions.
20. List the various types of defense attorneys working in criminal courts today and describe how they differ.
21. Outline the ethical standards that guide criminal defense attorneys today and describe the various sources of those standards.
22. Outline the rights of criminal defendants facing processing by the American justice system and explain the origin of those rights.
23. Explain what rights victims have under current law.
24. Define the exclusionary rule and explain why it is controversial.
25. Obtain a comprehensive undertanding of all steps in the adjudication process.
26. Explain plea bargaining, including its historical development and its use in courts today.
27. Describe what is involved in the process of entering a guilt plea and the consequences therein.
28. Understand when an accused offender has the right to a jury trial.
29. Explain what constitutional rights criminal defendants have at trial.
30. Outline the order of events in a criminal trial.
31. Explain the goals of criminal sentencing.
32. Understand the purpose of the criminal appeals process and discuss the potential consequences of an appeal.
33. Explain how the process of differential treatment applies to court processing.
34. Understand how common wrongful convictions are under our system of justice. Describe what can be done to further reduce the likelihood of wrongful convictions. Discuss exonerations and the reasons for them.
35. Outline what alternatives to traditional adjudication are identified in this chapter. Explain how such alternatives are applied today.

This course will be guided by meeting the above referenced Student Performance objectives. At the end of the semester, students are expected to have a basic understanding of the American judicial system and the essential elements therein.
 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

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1. \ The workload for this course will require due diligence and integrity on students' part.
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2. \ Log into the class on a daily basis to check for class announcements & emails and ensure understanding of all applicable due dates.
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3. \ Complete all assigned reading. This is imperative for successful completion of the course.
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4. \ At times, the discussion board topics will address sensitive subjects and students must remember to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner. All students are entitled to their opinions.and certainly aren’t required to agree with another student’s opinion. However, disagreements can be cited in an appropriate manner.
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5. \ Snipes, inappropriate language or racial slurs will in no way, shape or form be tolerated during discussions or within email content.
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6. \ Only those individuals who are registered in the course are allowed to make posts on the discussion boards or send email within the course.
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7. \ Cheating will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case by case basis and will generally result in a grade of zero or removal from the course.
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Grading Criteria

\ Homework  [30% of cumulative grade]

\ Quizzes [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Discussion Assignments [20% of cumulative grade]

\ Exams [30% of cumulative grade]
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\ Students will  be required to turn in assignments on the specified dates, as referenced on the class calendar. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Attendance

\ REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS.

\ It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

\ Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact the instructor via email, phone, or in person, immediately.
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Calendar

Additional Information

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