Court Systems and Practices Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Course

CRIJ-1306-002 Court Systems and Practices

Prerequisites

Course Description

Study of the judiciary in the American criminal justice system and the adjudication processes and procedures.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Courts and Criminal Justice in America, Larry J. Siegel, Frank Schmalleger, John L. Worrall

Supplies

Four (4) scan-trons with essay space booklets are required for Exams. Students may either use a pencil or pen to complete the essay assignment, but a pencil must be used on the scan-tron portion. Five (5) scan-trons are required for quizzes.

Student Performance

By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily
complete all of the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the course examinations and assignments.

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 understanding 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 guilty 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.
 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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

Classroom Rules:
                                1. Cell phones, pagers, or any electronic devices must be turned off during the class hours. You will be asked to leave if you are texting or answering calls during class.

                                 2. Students caught cheating will have their examinations confiscated and, at a minimum, receive a grade of F for that examination. Additionally, such students may receive a grade of F in the course.

Grading Criteria

Grading: 

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three (3) exams over the semester.  
o The two exams will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions.  Each question will be worth 1 point for a total of 50 points.  In addition to the True/False, multiple choice and/or matching question there will be an essay/short answer section worth 50 points.  
o The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of 100 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. Each question will be worth 2 points for a total of 200 points. There will be no essay/short answer section on the final exam.

Term Paper:
Students will be assigned to groups of 3 or 4. The group will research, construct an outline, write a term paper, and present a presentation to the entire class. One outline of the paper/presentation will be submitted per group at the beginning of class on September 26th, 2013. The outline, which will be a percentage of the final group term paper/presentation grade, will give an overview of the topic. The outline must be submitted in an outline format (please see following pages). The group will turn in a 5 -7 page term paper over a specific court case that that the group will sign up for on the first day of class. If the student is not present the first day of class, the student will be placed in a group automatically. The final paper is due November 21st, 2013 the graded outline must be turned in with the term paper. Group presentations will begin on November 21st, 2013. See attached guidelines for outline and term paper and outline requirements. 

Homework:
Each student will turn in 1 homework assignments during the semester. The homework assignment will be worth 100 points. The homework assignment is due at the beginning of class. You must be in class to turn in your homework. I will not accept homework via email unless I have approved before the day the homework is due.

Quizzes:
Each student is responsible for reading and keeping up with the material. To insure students are reading, 5 quizzes will be given at random during the semester. Each quiz will be worth 20 points.

Participation:
Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions.  A grade of up to 100 points will be accessed based on the student’s participation during the semester. You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

Grading Scheme:
Exam 1    100 Points
Exam 2    100 Points
Final Exam    200 Points
Term Paper/Presentation  250 Points
Term Paper Outline     50 Points
Participation    100 Points
Quizzes     100 Points
Homework    100 Points
Total Points Available         1000 Points

A = Point range between 900 and 1000
B = Point range between 800 and 899
C = Point range between 700 and 799
D = Point range between 600 and 699
F = Point range below 599

Makeup Policy:
NO EXAMS or QUIZZES CAN BE MADE UP or RE-TAKEN. 
Extra Credit may be given, if a student’s missed exam warrants the option.
 

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required. A student is allowed one absence. Each additional absence will result in 5 points being taken off of the participation grade.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Group Term Paper & Presentation Guidelines
Purpose –
To gain a better knowledge of courtroom practices and procedures. The cases that will be presented have shaped the current criminal justice system. In your paper include the facts of the case, any rulings, practices, or procedures that make this case unique, media coverage or opinion if it shaped the outcome of the case, and the final outcome of the case. Be sure to include sentencing and/or appeals process if applicable.

Subject –
The paper/presentation will be written over a court case from a predetermined list, which your group will choose from on the first day of class.

Outline-
                      An outline is a working rough draft of how your paper will be written with a limited amount of detail. An outline’s purpose is to allow you to organize your thoughts and the content of your paper. A 1 to 2 page outline will be sufficient. Your graded outline should be turned in with your term paper.
Example of an Outline
I. Introduction
II. Facts of the case
III. Trial
a. Jury selection
b. The State’s case
c. The defendant’s case
d. Witnesses, etc.
IV. Verdict
V. Sentencing
VI. Appeal
VII. Conclusion

Length –
• Minimum 5 Pages
• Maximum 7 Pages
• Must include a Bibliography – not included in the paper page count

Specifics –
• 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header(use last names of group members)
• Number all pages at the bottom

 

Grading –  (a percentage of your grade will consist of a peer evaluation)
• Outline – 50 points
• Research – 50 points
• Organization – 50 points
• Following the assignment – 50 points
• Presentation – 100 points
• TOTAL = 300 points

Sources –
5 Sources required no more than 4 internet source.

Bibliography –  APA Format (see examples)

• Book by single author:
Last name, first name. (Year book published). Title of Book. City Publish, State Publish: Publishing Company.

• Book by multiple authors:
Last name, first name & Last name, first name. (Year book published). Title of Book. City Publish, State Publish: Publishing Company.

• Government Publication:
US Agency Name. (Year published). Title of publication. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

• World Wide Web
Last name, first name. (Year published). Retrieved Insert date, from insert http://address.

 

Court System & Practices Topic List

• State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman
• State of Arizona vs. Jodi Arias
• People of the State of California vs. Orenthal James Simpson
• West Memphis Three
• State of Texas vs. Colton Pitonyak & State of Texas vs. Laura Hall
• State of Texas vs. Andrea Yates
• Naval Cadet Case (Graham & Zamora)

 

Homework Assignment
(Homework assignment is worth 100 points)

October 3rd, 2013 – Due at the Beginning of Class
Read Courts In The News on page 130 of your textbook. Answer the 3 questions at the end of the article. Your answers should be in essay form, and a minimum of 2 pages in length. You will need to use additional sources to answer the questions thoroughly. Be sure to cite your sources and include a bibliography.

Please Use the following format for every homework assignment:

Specifics –
• Homework must be printed & turned in at the beginning of class.
• 12 pt. font
• 1 inch margins
• Double-spaced
• Name at top of every paper in the header
• Number all pages at the bottom

Bibliography –  APA Format (see examples)

• Book by single author:
Last name, first name. (Year book published). Title of Book. City Publish, State Publish: Publishing Company.

• Book by multiple authors:
Last name, first name & Last name, first name. (Year book published). Title of Book. City Publish, State Publish: Publishing Company.

• Government Publication:
US Agency Name. (Year published). Title of publication. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

• World Wide Web
Last name, first name. (Year published). Retrieved Insert date, from insert http://address.

 

  Grade Sheet
Assignment Grade
Exam 1
Homework 1
Exam 2
Outline
Term Paper/Presentation
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Participation
Final Exam