CJ& 110 - Criminal Law

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
This course is an introduction to the study of criminal law in the United States and will review the difference between crimes against property, crimes against public, and crimes against a person. This course will study the various mental states required for criminal responsibility and defenses used in a criminal trial, along with definitions, classifications, elements, and penalties of crime and criminal responsibility. Formerly: CJ 103.
Course Outcomes:

Identify major criminal law terminology, definitions, concepts, and classifications.
Summarize the history, development, and progression of criminal laws in the United States.
Describe the general elements of crime, including mens rea, actus reus, and concurrence, as well as the interrelationships of these concepts.
Distinguish and compare Common Law, the Model Penal Code, and the Revised Code of Washington.
Identify the major differences between civil law and criminal law.
Differentiate between mala prohibita and mala in se crimes.
Describe how constitutional limitations, as well as substantive and procedural due processes ensure that laws and procedures are applied equally to everyone.
Apply general criminal defenses, such as justification and excuse defenses, to real crime cases.
Analyze court procedures and decision-making processes used by various courtroom actors, with specific focus on judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, and jurors.

Course Topics:

Foundations and elements of criminal law
Types and classifications of criminal law
Crimes against persons, crimes against property, and other crimes
Criminal defenses
Court procedures

Course Attribute(s): Social Science