Court Systems and Practices Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

CRIJ-1306-002 Court Systems and Practices

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course is a study of the court system as it applies to the structures, procedures, practices and sources of law in American courts, using federal and Texas statutes and case law.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

America’s Courts and the Criminal Justice System, David W. Neubauer, Henry F. Fradella  12^th  Edition, ISBN# 978-1-305-26105-1

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

Student Performance / Learning Objectives

1. Describe the American judicial systems (civil, criminal, and juvenile), their jurisdiction, development and structure.
2. Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group.
3. Identify judicial processes from pretrial to appeal.

4. Describe the significant Constitutional Amendments, doctrines, and other sources of law in the American judicial system.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

There are certain requirements that will be necessary for the successful completion of this class.  The requirements are mandatory and are explained fully in this syllabus.

1. Tests are given after every 4 chapters
2. Read the chapters; take good notes
3. Be on time and stay until the end

You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings and being prepared for class discussions. The textbook readings are intended to provide background information to my lecture.  Because we will be having class discussions when I am lecturing, it is of the utmost importance that you read the assigned reading for that particular lecture in the textbook. If for some reason I am unable to lecture on a particular topic in the book you are still responsible for knowing that particular section of the assigned reading. So, please be aware that you will be tested on what the book covers as well as my lectures.  The readings will be from the textbook listed above, as well as any other material that I may handout during the semester. Bring you textbook to every lecture.  In order to be successful in this class, you will need to devote equal study time to course lecture as well as the readings; therefore, class participation is expected.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS:

• This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week studying for this class, outside of class.
• Studying in college is a complex task, in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, and study skills, among others…
• Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.
• Students report that it is helpful to make a flash card for each paragraph of reading material.  They ask a question on one side of the card and answer it in their own words on the other side of the card.  Then, they have a way of testing their understanding of the content.

Behavior policy. 

Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, college students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the college. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

Prohibited behavior includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Arriving late or leaving early from the classroom
• Talking on the cellphone or text messaging
• Carrying on side conversations with classmates
• Sleeping
• Doing other coursework, or reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to classmates
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to the instructor, questioning the instructor’s authority, expressing anger about a grade, or generally disrupting the instructor’s ability to teach
• Dominating the class discussion by not allowing other students to speak

PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 10:30 a.m.  

Grading Criteria

Exams:
Each student will be required to take three chapter exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester. Your lowest test grade on the chapter exams will be dropped.

The chapter exams will consist of True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions, and/or essay/short answer. The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will consist of True/False and multiple choice questions.  

NO CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, OR TABLETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF EXAMS! If a student has one of these devices on the day of the test, the student will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to take the test.

Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once testing has begun.  If a student leaves the room, then their test will be taken up and graded based on the questions they have answered up to that point.

All tests will begin at 10:30, if a student enters the class after 10:40 they will not be allowed to take the test.  YOU will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete each chapter exam, you will have two hours to complete the final exam. The final exam will be from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  

A review sheet will be given for all exams.  

Participation:

• At the beginning of class there will be a short writing assignment. A question will be posted on the board.  You will write down the question, you will answer the question on paper, in paragraph format (six to seven sentences), and you will use correct spelling and grammar. If you are late to class you WILL NOT be allowed to make up these assignments. If I cannot read your writing, you will not receive credit.
• Each Thursday you will be required to complete an exit sheet at the end of class. You will explain what you learned during the week and what material you may be struggling to understand.  If you leave class early or miss class you WILL NOT be allowed to make up these assignments.
• Additional assignments: ex. Worksheets, short papers, videos, etc...
• Each student will be required to actively engage in the weekly discussions. You must be present and prepared to actively participate in class discussions.

Court Observation Assignment: Court Observation Due: September 26, 2016

This assignment will require students to attend court and observe a Criminal Trial or Civil Trial. You may visit the Municipal Court, State (district) Court, or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Below is a list of court addresses and district clerk’s phone numbers.

Potter County:

• United States District Court:
  • United States District Court
    205 S.E. 5th Avenue, Room 133

806-468-3800

• District Courts
  • Potter County District Court house

501 S. Fillmore

The docket for the 320^th District Court is online.  You will want to click on criminal docket.

http://www.co.potter.tx.us/default.aspx?Potter_County/District.Court.320

 

All other court dockets for the 251^st, 47^th, and 108^th District Courts can be found by calling 806-379-2247.

• Municipal Court
  • 201 SE 4^th Ave

http://amarillo.gov/?page_id=143

 Randall County (Canyon):

• District Court:
  • http://randallcounty.com/dcourt/dcourts.html

• Court attire (dress) must be appropriate. No shorts, cut-offs, halter tops, flip flops, caps or baggy or saggy pants. Business office attire (dress) is appropriate.
• No electronic devices in courtroom. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CELL PHONE INTO COURT!!!!! Leave it at home or leave it in your car.
• Please do not go in groups, the courtrooms are not that big and space is limited.
• When looking at a docket State of Texas V. Smith = a criminal trial or CPS case, Smith V. Jones = a civil trial.  No later papers will be accepted. Court Observation Due: September 26, 2016
• Select your own time; to visit the court(s) as you determine and incorporate into your schedule. There is no specific time to stay, but you must stay a sufficient amount of time to answer the required questions and to provide sufficient information for the court observation report. (15-30 min will not be sufficient)
• Generally you will see both civil and criminal cases during your observation. Most judges conduct hearing for both types of cases on the same day.

With respect to the case you select prepare:

APA style format:

• Use 8.5” x 11” paper
• Type double-spaced with 1” margins on all edges.
• Page number should be in the top right corner.
• Indent each new paragraph
• Use Times Roman 12 pt. font.
• 300-600 word paper covering:
  • The type of proceedings that you observed
    • Identify nature of Case: Civil (divorce, child custody, tort, etc...) Criminal (Misdemeanor, felony, type of offense (DUI, Assault, etc...).
    • Question of law (this is stated in a question) this is the Issue in the case!
    • The Court Ruling
    • Why you either support or oppose the court's ruling
  • The court room environment
  • Your impression of the court room actors (the judge, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the defendant, etc...)
  • The roles of the bailiff, court reporter, etc...
• Include a title page with the following information:
  • Date/time of observation
  • Court
  • Case name
  • Judge
  • District attorney
  • Defense attorney
  • Charges
  • Proceedings observed

An example of a court observation paper will be available in Blackboard.

 

Grading Scheme:
Exam’s                                        40%

Court Observation assignment   25%

Attendance                                  20%

Participation                               15%        
Total                                          100%

A = 100%-89.5%

B = 89.4%-79.5%
C = 79.4%-69.5%
D = 69.4%-59.5%

F = 59.4% and below
 

You get the grade you earn.  At the end of the semester, if you have a final grade of an 89.5 you will receive an A, if you have a final grade of 89.4 you will receive a B.

 

Makeup Policy:

Because the lowest exam score is dropped, there will be no make-up exams.  If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, that exam will be the exam score that will be dropped. The purpose for the drop grade is so that you can miss an exam for any reason, such as death in the family, illness, vacation, having a baby, not able to get your books on time, not having access to a computer, having to work, forgetting to take an exam, etc…

Extra Credit:

There is not an “extra credit” option.  I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit.  I want you to learn the study skills necessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college.   

Attendance

Attendance and participation are required.  A role sheet will be handed out at the beginning of class and at the end, you will sign acknowledging you are present both at the beginning and at the end.  If you come in after the sign in sheet has been passed around, you will not be allowed to sign in and will be counted absent for that day.  A student is allowed (2) two absences. Each additional absence will result in 10 points, per additional absence, being taken off of the attendance grade.  STUDENTS HAVE FAILED SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT 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”. The last day to drop is October 4, 2016, you must have my permission to drop. You need to send me an email requesting to drop the class and the reason behind it.

Calendar

Additional Information

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED, HANDWRITTEN WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! APA style Format: Use 8.5” x 11” paper Type double-spaced with 1” margins on all edges. Page number should be in the top right corner. Indent each new paragraph Use Times Roman 12 pt. font.   Every assignment you turn in must have the following cover page attached. If the cover page is missing 10 points will be deducted from your grade.   Title of paper Your name Court Systems and Practices Instructor Haskins

Check Blackboard DAILY Examples of previous students work will be available for you to view. This will give you examples to reference.  Students will be responsible for printing off any material that is posted to Blackboard.