2021 - 2022 College Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021 - 2022 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CJUS 340 - Criminal Courts and Justice


Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): CJUS 100  and GOVT 110 

Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): None

Federal, state and local criminal court systems are reviewed and analyzed through the cycle of the criminal justice system. This course examines the Constitutional principles of police power and a suspect’s civil liberties. The roles of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juries, defendants, and victims are explored. Defendant plea options are reviewed and the concept of mandatory sentencing is discussed. The results of acquittal, plea bargains, and guilty verdicts and post-trial sentencing options are examined. For guilty defendants the option of incarceration, community corrections, parole, and appeal form the basis of investigation and review. In addition, youthful offenders and their path in the juvenile justice system is described and critically reviewed.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:
  1. Review and critically analyze criminal courts and the role they play in the criminal justice system.
  2. Describe the responsibilities and challenges facing the different actors in the criminal court system.
  3. Critically analyze contemporary criminal court policies and procedures.
  4. Describe the different specialized courts created in the criminal justice system and critically review whether or not they are necessary and effective.
  5. Critically analyze the effectiveness of the criminal court system and the impact it has on society.