Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Comprehensive examination of the origin, development, philosophy and legal basis of criminal procedures in California; procedural statutes, case law, constitutional law and judicial rules governing pre-arrest, arrest, custody, crime charging, motions; applicable rules of discovery and evidence; California grand jury system; pretrial court procedures; adult and juvenile court procedures; verdict, sentencing and the appellate process. (C-ID AJ 122) (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Analyze the historical development of state and federal criminal justice process.
  • CSLO #2: Identify and analyze concepts of due process within the U.S. constitution.
  • CSLO #3: List and describe the stages of the criminal trial process.

Effective Term

Fall 2017

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Describe the historical development of the state and federal criminal justice process;
2. List and describe the stages in the trial process;
3. Identify and critically analyze the concepts of due process as found in the 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments, including right to counsel, bail, jury trial, and due process;
4. Analyze the constitutional rights of a detained or arrested individual;
5. Explain the Miranda decision and the privileges against self-incrimination;
6. Describe the history and application of the exclusionary rule in shaping modern criminal procedure;
7. Critically analyze the constitutionality of searches and seizures;
8. Analyze the Bill of Rights and identify those amendments relevant to criminal procedures;
9. Define what constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure;
10. Summarize the application of the right to counsel in a criminal case;
11. Describe application of the right to a jury trial;
12. Explain the concept of 'Beyond a Reasonable Doubt'; and
13. Compare and contrast determinate and indeterminate sentencing philosophies.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Objective Examinations
              • Example: Students will chart the criminal trial process for defendants charged with felonies, misdemeanors and infractions; comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences at each stage of the trial process.
            • Reports
              • Example: Students will write a 4-5 page paper identifying and describing exceptions to the 4th Amendment search warrant requirement.

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Lecture/Discussion
            • Distance Learning

            Lecture:

            1. Instructor introduces the concepts of detention and arrest through a class discussion of their similarities and differences, including a case example. After defining both terms and discussing the legal authority to detain and arrest, students will work in groups to analyze other hypothetical or real-life scenarios.

            Distance Learning

            1. Instructor will electronically provide students with current events related to the admissibility of evidence and the impact of the Exclusionary Rule and provide news articles for the students to analyze and discuss via discussion boards on LMS.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            1. Read and analyze five current event articles related to laws of arrest. 2. Read the chapter in the text relating to suspect identification and be prepared to discuss lineups, show-ups and the photographic identification process.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            1. Given a written scenario involving the search of an arrested suspect, the student will determine whether or not the search was lawful. 2. Students will prepare a five page paper comparing and contrasting California adult and juvenile trial procedures.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            Required Materials

            • CA Criminal Procedure
              • Author: Devallis Rutledge
              • Publisher: Cengage/Wadsworth
              • Publication Date: 2000
              • Text Edition: 4th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • Procedures in the Justice System
              • Author: Roberson / Wallace
              • Publisher: Pearson
              • Publication Date: 2016
              • Text Edition: 11th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • Criminal Procedure
              • Author: Worrall
              • Publisher: Pearson
              • Publication Date: 2016
              • Text Edition: 2nd
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.