Course Description
This course covers constitutional and statutory guidelines for arrest, detention, use of force, search and seizure, warrant requirements, line-ups and identification procedures, confessions, admissions and interrogation. Emphasis is on the procedural considerations affecting law enforcement actions as restricted by the constitution, statutes, and case law. Illinois criminal procedure will also be covered.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Articulate the significance of the U.S. Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment, as they affect the rights of citizens and the responsibilities of government officials.
- Effectively discuss the civil rights of citizens and the responsibilities of police agencies and officers when reasonable and unreasonable intrusions of citizens’ lives occur.
- Display a working knowledge of the terminology associated with felony and misdemeanor statutes.
- Recognize and define the rules of evidence for admission and exclusion of evidence during legal proceedings.
- Explain in writing the principles of Federal and Illinois Criminal Procedure.
- Discuss and explain in writing the limitations on the use of force and the liabilities of police officers when specified constitutional rights of citizens have been violated by the police during the course of enforcement, with and without the use of force.
- Apply criminal procedure terminology and concepts correctly.
- Recognize and explain procedural constitutional rights of the accused.
Topical Outline
Preview of criminal procedure in the age of the digital revolution
Text-Case Method
Searches and seizures
Stop and frisk
Seizure of persons: arrest
Searches for evidence
"Special needs" searches
Self-incrimination
Identification procedures
Remedies for constitutional violations: exclusionary rule
Constitutional violations: other remedies against official misconduct
Court proceedings: before trial
Court proceedings: trial and conviction
After conviction: sentencing, appeals, and habeas corpus
Criminal procedure in times of crisis