CJS 220. The Court System. Version 2 08/06/07 CJS 220

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1 CJS 220 The Curt System Versin 2 08/06/07 CJS 220

2 CJS 220 The Curt System Prgram Cuncil The Academic Prgram Cuncils fr each cllege versee the design and develpment f all University f Phenix curricula. Cuncil members include full-time and practitiner faculty members wh have extensive experience in this discipline. Teams f full-time and practitiner faculty cntent experts are assembled under the directin f these Cuncils t create specific curses within the academic prgram. Cpyright Cpyright 2007 by University f Phenix. All rights reserved. University f Phenix is a registered trademark f Apll Grup, Inc. in the United States and/r ther cuntries. Micrsft, Windws, and Windws NT are registered trademarks f Micrsft Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries. All ther cmpany and prduct names are trademarks r registered trademarks f their respective cmpanies. Use f these marks is nt intended t imply endrsement, spnsrship, r affiliatin. Edited in accrdance with University f Phenix editrial standards and practices. Curse Syllabus CJS 220

3 CJS 220 The Curt System Curse Syllabus Curse Title: CJS 220 The Curt System Required Texts Meyer, J. & Grant, D. (2003). The curts in ur criminal justice system. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Axia Cllege s Writing Style Handbk, available nline at Electrnic Resurces Please Nte: All required text and materials are fund n the Materials tab f the student web page. The student web page can be accessed thrugh the Axia Cllege f University f Phenix Student and Faculty Web site at Curse Syllabus Page 3

4 CJS 220 The Curt System Curse Overview COURSE DESCRIPTION This curse is an intrductin t the fundamental elements f the curts in ur criminal justice system. Students will examine the many cmplexities affecting the curt system, frm the thery behind the creatin f laws t the implementatin f such laws. This curse prvides an in-depth lk int the rles and functins f the prfessinals interacting within the curt while utlining the curtrm prcess. Other tpics include punishments, appeals, and plea bargains. TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES Laws and Crime Explain the creatin, purpse, and effects f laws. Differentiate between law n the bks and law in actin. Identify legal defenses used by defendants. Due Prcess and Curt Structure Explain due prcess f law. Describe the rights f the accused. Explain the thery and reality f law as a living bdy. Cmpare and cntrast the state and federal curt systems. Prsecutin and Defense Discuss the ethical and discretinal cncerns f the prsecutr and the defense attrney. Cmpare and cntrast the rle f the prsecutr and defense attrney. Judges Describe the respnsibilities and invlvement f judges. Explain the path t a judgeship. Analyze the qualities f effective versus ineffective judges. Curtrm Participants Recgnize the rle f jurrs and their impact n the legal system. Recgnize the rles f curtrm participants. Bail and Plea Bargains Examine the bail system. Analyze the impact f the Manhattan Bail Prject. Debate the use f plea bargains. The Trial Prcess Describe the pre-trial activities. Discuss the purpse f the criminal trial prcess. Discuss the jury decisin-making prcess. The Appeals Prcess Differentiate between trial curts and appellate curts. Identify the steps in the appeals prcess. Curse Syllabus Page 4

5 CJS 220 The Curt System Identify the factrs that are cnsidered in the acceptance f an appeal. Describe the rle and imprtance f the Supreme Curt. The Curt System Discuss the influence f sciety n laws. Cmpare the entertainment myth f the curt system with its reality. Curse Syllabus Page 5

6 CJS 220 The Curt System Pint Values fr Curse Assignments Week One: Laws and Crime Discussin Questins 10 Participatin 10 CheckPint: Mens Rea and Defense 30 Week Tw: Due Prcess and Curt Structure CheckPint: Curt System Structure I 15 CheckPint: Curt System Structure II 15 Assignment: Law as a Living Bdy 100 Week Three: Prsecutin and Defense Discussin Questins 10 Participatin 10 CheckPint: Prsecutin versus Defense 30 Week Fur: Judges CheckPint: Path t a Judgeship 30 Assignment: Judges 100 Week Five: Curtrm Participants Discussin Questins 10 Participatin 10 CheckPint: Curtrm Participants 30 Week Six: Bail and Plea Bargains CheckPint: The Bail System 30 Assignment: Plea Bargains 100 Week Seven: The Trial Prcess Discussin Questins 10 Participatin 10 CheckPint: Pre-Trial Activities 30 Week Eight: The Appeals Prcess CheckPint: Trial and Appellate Curts 15 CheckPint: Appeals 15 Assignment: The Supreme Curt 100 Week Nine: The Curt System Capstne Discussin Questin 20 Participatin 10 Final Prject: Fictin versus Reality 250 Pint Ttals 1,000 Curse Syllabus Page 6

7 CJS 220 The Curt System Plicies and Prcedures All students in this curse are required t abide by the plicies and prcedures described in the Plicies sectin f the Student Web Page. T view these plicies, students must be lgged in t the Student Web Page. The same infrmatin can be accessed via the Plicies link lcated in the Materials sectin f the Classrm tab n the Student Web Page. Curse Syllabus Page 7

8 CJS 220 The Curt System Week One Laws and Crime Explain the creatin, purpse, and effects f law. Differentiate between law n the bks and law in actin. Identify legal defenses used by defendants. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read bjectives and welcme. 2. Read instructr s bi and pst yur wn bi. Due Date: Day 1 [pst t the Chat Rm frum] 3. Read Appendix A regarding the final prject requirements. 4. Read Ch. 1-4 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. 5. Discussin Questin 1 Due Date: Day 2 [pst t the Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: What are sme f the cnsideratins in the creatin f laws? In yur pinin, why create laws? What d laws represent t nt nly sciety as a whle, but als t the individual citizens and legislatrs within this sciety? Explain yur ratinale. 6. Discussin Questin 2 Due Date: Day 4 [pst t the Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: What is the difference between the law n the bks as ppsed t the law in actin? Is this subjective nature fair in the justice system? Explain yur answers. 7. CheckPint: Mens Rea and Defense Resurces: Appendix B and The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 5 [pst t the Individual frum] Review Ch. 2 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Lcate Appendix B n yur student web page. Cmplete the matrix n Appendix B. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 8

9 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Tw Due Prcess and Curt Structure Explain due prcess f law. Describe the rights f the accused. Explain the thery and reality f law as a living bdy. Cmpare and cntrast the state and federal curt systems. ASSIGNMENTS 1. CheckPint: Curt System Structure I Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 2 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 4 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Write a 200- t 300-wrd respnse cmparing the state curt system in which yu live and the federal curt system. If yu are nt a resident f the United States, chse any state s curt system t cmpare with the federal curt system. Cmpare these tw systems by structure, surce f laws, and the types f cases that are heard. Pst as an attachment. 2. CheckPint: Curt System Structure II Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 5 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 4 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Write a 200- t 300-wrd respnse cmparing yur state s curt system with that f anther student. Yur instructr will prvide yu with the state fr cmparisn. Cmpare these tw systems by structure, surce f laws, and the types f cases that are heard. Which d yu think is mre effective? Explain. 3. Assignment: Law as a Living Bdy Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 7 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 3 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Write a 700- t 1,050-wrd essay in APA frmat explaining the thery and reality f law as a living bdy. In yur essay, include the fllwing: Law as a living bdy Law n bks versus laws in actin Objectivity f law Law as a living bdy Due Prcess Backgrund and purpse Psitives and negatives Curse Syllabus Page 9

10 CJS 220 The Curt System Hw has the interpretatin f due prcess changed since the September 11 th attacks? Hw des this relate t the cncept f law as a living bdy? Prvide at least ne specific example. Rights f the accused Backgrund and purpse Psitives and negatives Hw has the interpretatin f the rights f the accused changed since the September 11 th attacks? Hw des this relate t the cncept f law as a living bdy? Prvide at least ne specific example. Cite at least tw utside surces t supprt yur research. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 10

11 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Three Prsecutin and Defense Discuss the ethical and discretinal cncerns f the prsecutr and the defense attrney. Cmpare and cntrast the rle f the prsecutr and defense attrney. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read Ch. 5-7 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. 2. Discussin Questin 1 Due Date: Day 2 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: What are sme f the ethical dilemmas that prsecutrs face? Hw might a prsecutr s ethics influence his r her discretin f pursuing cases? Explain. 3. Discussin Questin 2 Due Date: Day 4 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: Describe sme ethical dilemmas defense attrneys may experience? Hw might this impact the handling f their cases? Explain yur answers. 4. CheckPint: Prsecutin versus Defense Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 5 [Individual frum] Write a 200- t 300-wrd respnse cmparing and cntrasting the rle f the defense cunsel with that f the prsecutr. Explain yur ratinale. Curse Syllabus Page 11

12 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Fur Judges Describe the respnsibilities and invlvement f judges. Explain the path t a judgeship. Analyze the qualities f effective versus ineffective judges. ASSIGNMENTS 1. CheckPint: Path t a Judgeship Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 4 [Individual frum] Imagine yu are a guest speaker in a law class where the students are interested in becming a judge. Review Ch. 7 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Create a 5- t 7-slide Micrsft PwerPint Presentatin in APA frmat explaining the path t a judgeship. In yur presentatin, include the fllwing: The methds f judicial selectin fr Federal Appellate Judges, State Appellate Judges, and State Trial Curt Judges A cmparisn f the fur methds (appintment, electin, partisan, and merit) The training f judges Include detailed speaker s ntes. Pst as an attachment. 2. Assignment: Judges Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 7 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 7 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Write a 700- t 1,050-wrd essay in APA frmat n the qualities f effectiveness versus ineffectiveness f judges. In yur essay: Describe the respnsibilities f judges. Identify attributes f bth effective and ineffective judges. Prvide an example f an effective and an ineffective Supreme Curt Judge. Explain pssible cnsequences f ineffectiveness. Determine the curse f actin fr ineffective judges. Cite at least tw utside surces. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 12

13 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Five Curtrm Participants Recgnize the rle f jurrs and their impact n the legal system. Recgnize the rles f curtrm participants. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read Ch. 8 & in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. 2. Discussin Questin 1 Due Date: Day 2 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: What are the duties f a jurr during a trial? Why is a jurr imprtant t the legal system? Explain. Prvide any experience yu have had serving n a jury, seeing a jury trial, r hearing abut being n a jury. 3. Discussin Questin 2 Due Date: Day 4 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: Shuld the legal system cntinue using trial by peers, r shuld the system adpt prfessinals wh are hired t seek the facts and truth f a trial? Which wuld be mre beneficial t the legal system, t the victims, and t the defendants? Explain yur answers. 4. CheckPint: Curtrm Participants Resurce: Appendix C Due Date: Day 5 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 8 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Cmplete the matrix in Appendix C fund n yur student web page. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 13

14 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Six Bail and Plea Bargains Examine the bail system. Analyze the impact f the Manhattan Bail Prject. Debate the use f plea bargains. ASSIGNMENTS 1. CheckPint: The Bail System Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 4 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 10 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Imagine yu are n a cmmittee designed t reexamine the bail system. Create a 5- t 7-slide Micrsft PwerPint Presentatin in APA frmat n the bail system. In yur presentatin: Explain the bail system. Detail an verview f the Manhattan Bail Prject and its impact n the bail system. Highlight the different types f bail. Describe the bail system s effectiveness. Identify the psitives and negatives f the bail system. Identify the bail system beneficiaries. Defend yur pinin n the verall effectiveness f the bail system. Prvide recmmendatins fr the future f the bail system. Include detailed speaker s ntes. Pst as an attachment. 2. Assignment: Plea Bargains In this assignment, yu will exercise critical thinking skills. Remember t suspend judgment while inquiring int the multiple aspects f plea-bargaining. By fllwing the guidelines utlined in the assignment, yu will apply prblem slving skills and methds. The last item calls fr a recmmendatin in which yu will frm an evaluative decisin. Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 7 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 11 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Write a 700- t 1,050-wrd essay in APA frmat n the use f plea bargains in the legal system. In yur essay: Summarize the purpse f plea bargains. Prvide examples f types f plea bargains. Include any psitive and negatives fr each type f plea bargain. Cmpare arguments fr and against the use f plea bargains. Curse Syllabus Page 14

15 CJS 220 The Curt System Decide with which perspective (fr r against) yu agree. Supprt yur ratinale. Determine what yu wuld like t see happen in the future with plea bargaining. Cite at least tw utside surces t supprt research and ratinale. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 15

16 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Seven The Trial Prcess Describe the pre-trial activities. Discuss the purpse f the criminal trial prcess. Discuss the jury decisin-making prcess. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read Ch. 12 & 15 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. 2. Discussin Questin 1 Due Date: Day 2 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: Hw impartial d yu think a jury can be in terms f its decisin-making ability? D yu think that the individual s attitudes, persnality, and beliefs wuld influence a decisin ver the facts f a case? Explain hw these can affect the decisin-making prcess. 3. Discussin Questin 2 Due Date: Day 4 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: After reviewing Figure 12.1 n p. 331, explain the majr purpses f the criminal trial prcess. D yu think this prcess is effective in its gal t ensure justice, t serve the public, and t keep the rights f the defendants and victims intact? Explain yur answers. 4. CheckPint: Pre-Trial Activities Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 5 [Individual frum] Imagine yu are an emplyee f the curthuse in yur area. Yu have been asked t infrm a grup f ptential jurrs abut the activities that ccur befre a trial, including the jury selectin prcess. Review Ch. 12 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Create a 5- t 7-slide Micrsft PwerPint Presentatin in APA frmat visually representing the pre-trial activities. Be sure t explain the imprtance f these activities t help ptential jurrs understand the prcess. Include detailed speaker s ntes. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 16

17 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Eight The Appeals Prcess Differentiate between trial curts and appellate curts. Identify the steps in the appeals prcess. Identify the factrs that are cnsidered in the acceptance f an appeal. Describe the rle and imprtance f the Supreme Curt. ASSIGNMENTS 1. CheckPint: Trial and Appellate Curts Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 2 [Individual frum] Write a 200- t 300-wrd respnse answering Discussin Questin 1 n p. 488 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. 2. CheckPint: Appeals Resurces: Appendix D and The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 5 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 15 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System. Lcate Appendix D n yur student web page. Cmplete Part I and II n Appendix D. Pst as an attachment. 3. Assignment: The Supreme Curt Resurce: The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Due Date: Day 7 [Individual frum] Review Ch. 15 in The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System Write a 700- t 1,050-wrd paper in APA frmat explaining the rle and imprtance f the Supreme Curt. Be sure t include the fllwing: Purpse Structure and persnnel Prcess Discretinal Pwers Scpe Imprtance Affect n law and citizens Psitives and negatives Explain if they shuld increase, decrease, r remain the same. Cite at least tw utside surces t supprt yur research and ratinale. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 17

18 CJS 220 The Curt System Week Nine The Curt System Discuss the influence f sciety n laws. Cmpare the entertainment myth f the curt system with its reality. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Capstne Discussin Questin Due Date: Day 3 [Main frum] Pst yur respnse t the fllwing: This curse has taught the law as a living bdy. Hw d persnalities, actins, trends, plitical crrectness, and the mral aptitudes r ineptitudes f sciety influence the creatin f gverning laws? D yu think laws are a reflectin f sciety r sciety is a reflectin f laws? Explain yur answers. 2. Final Prject: Fictin versus Reality In this assignment, yu will exercise critical thinking skills. Remember t suspend judgment while inquiring int the reality-based aspects f the fictinal curtrm drama as cmpared t its reality. Accurately cmparing this fictin with its reality requires applicatin f prblem slving skills and methds. The last item calls fr an evaluative decisin yu will make n the fictin and reality f the curt system. Resurces: Appendix A, The Curts in Our Criminal Justice System, and the Curt TV Web site at Due Date: Day 7 [Individual frum] Write a 1,050- t 1,400-wrd paper in APA frmat cmparing the entertainment fictin f the curt system with its reality. Select examples frm fictinal prtrayals f the curtrm fund in bks, mvies, r televisin, fr example, The Runaway Jury, A Few Gd Men, r Law and Order. Use the Curt TV Web site t help yur research. Describe the fictinal prtrayals f the curtrm including the trial prcess, the rles f the prsecutin and defense, the rles f the curtrm participants (expand yur respnse frm the Week Five CheckPint), and the handling r implementatin f rights fr the defendant and the victim. Then, draw parallels between the fictinal prtrayal and the reality f the curtrm within abve identified aspects. Determine the accuracy f the fictinal curtrm prcess as cmpared t that f the curtrm reality. Use yur reading f the text, utside surces, and any experience in the curtrm as resurces. Be sure t answer the fllwing: In yur pinin, is this fictinal curtrm a reliable surce f infrmatin pertinent t the understanding f the actual curt system? Explain yur pinin. Given that entertainment differs frm reality, what impact wuld yur fictinal accunt f curtrm practices have n the average citizen s perceptins f the real-life curtrm prcess? Cite at least three utside surces t supprt yur research. Pst as an attachment. Curse Syllabus Page 18