Course Description
Studying case law, the student will be expected to demonstrate an understanding and awareness of the components, purposes, and functions of criminal law and the elements necessary to establish a crime and criminal intent, and distinguish misdemeanor and felony.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe America’s legal history and the role the common law has in American life, as well as describe the structure of the American legal system.
- Explain what a crime is and know the basic elements of most crimes, including murder, crimes against the person, crimes against property, crimes against the state, social crimes, and crimes involving terror.
- Describe the Constitutional protections afforded by the common law, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
- Describe the criminal trial process, from investigation to conviction, appeal, incarceration, and release.