Standard |
PLS 108 - Criminal Law and Criminal
Procedure
Introduces the student to the basic concepts of substantive criminal law and its procedural aspects with an emphasis on the constitutionally protected rights of the accused in the criminal justice system. Topics include: substantive criminal law, criminal procedure from arrest to post-conviction, constitutional issues of criminal law and procedure, and criminal litigation support.
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Competency Areas |
Hours
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Substantive Criminal Law |
Class |
5 |
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Criminal Procedure From Arrest to Post-Conviction |
D. Lab |
0 |
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Constitutional Issues of Criminal Law and Procedure |
P. Lab/O.B.I. |
0 |
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Criminal Litigation Support |
Credit |
5 |
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Substantive Criminal Law |
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Prerequisite: |
Program admission |
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Corequisite: |
PLS 101 |
Course Guide |
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Competency |
After completing this
section, the student will: |
Hours |
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Class |
D.Lab |
P.Lab/ O.B.I. |
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SUBSTANTIVE CRIMINAL LAW |
15 |
0 |
0 |
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Crimes |
Explain what constitutes a crime. |
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Describe the elements of certain crimes. |
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Differentiate among each crime type. |
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CRIMINAL PROCEDURE FROM ARREST TO POST-CONVICTION |
10 |
0 |
0 |
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Criminal procedure |
Explain what is necessary to constitutionally carry out an arrest, a search and seizure, police interrogations, and identification procedures. |
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CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES OF CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE |
10 |
0 |
0 |
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Constitutional concerns |
Summarize the exclusionary rule. |
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Discuss the scope of the right to counsel. |
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Summarize the right to counsel. |
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CRIMINAL LITIGATION SUPPORT |
15 |
0 |
0 |
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Documents |
Identify documents relevant to criminal litigation. |
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Identify forms commonly used in criminal litigation. |
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Prepare drafts of criminal litigation documents. |
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Obtain signatures. |
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Obtain certified/attested/authenticated documents. |
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Classify documents/materials. |
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Summarize documents/materials. |
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Coordinate document notarization. |
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File pleadings and/or documents. |
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Organize files for use during criminal litigation |
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Interview clients. |
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Locate witnesses. |
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Interview witnesses. |
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Write a witness statement. |
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Monitor client's case. |
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Keep client informed. |
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Define terms relevant to criminal litigation. |
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Describe the relevance of federal, state, and local rules of procedure. |
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Assist an attorney in any stage of criminal litigation in either federal or state court. |
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Prepare request for service of process. |
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Monitor service of process. |
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Describe the procedure of legal notice. |
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Obtain hearing and/or court dates. |
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Access court records. |
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Access administrative/governmental records. |
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Consult with officers of the court, administrative agencies, and resource persons. |
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Explain how to develop evidence necessary to properly litigate criminal law matters. |
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Utilize law books of the state of Georgia in the criminal law area. |
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Prepare summary of case facts. |
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Gather physical evidence. |
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Verify investigative information. |
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Analyze existing evidence. |
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Conduct nonlegal research. |
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Organize documents and other exhibits used at trial or in pretrial proceedings. |
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Suggested Resources |
Suggested Resources include textbooks shown below or most current edition.
Israel, J. H., & LaFave, W. R. (1988). Criminal procedure in a nutshell - constitutional limitations
(4th ed.). St. Paul: West.
Loewy, A. H. (1987).
Criminal law in a nutshell (2nd ed.). St. Paul: West.
ABA Journal
American Lawyer
Fulton County Daily
Report
Georgia State Bar Journal
Legal Economics
Legal Professional
National Paralegal
Professional
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