CJC 131 Criminal Law

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Clinic: 0 Credits: 3

This course covers the history/evolution/principles and contemporary applications of criminal law. Topics include sources of substantive law, classification of crimes, parties to crime, elements of crimes, matters of criminal responsibility, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss the sources of law and identify, interpret, and apply the appropriate statutes/elements.

Course is typically offered in Fall.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At completion of the course, the student should be able to do the following:

Examine the nature, origins, sources, and purpose of criminal law.
Analyze the material elements of a crime: mens rea, actus reus, and concurrence.
Discuss excuses and justifications as a defense to criminal liability.
Differentiate types of crime participants: principals, aiding and abetting, and accessory before the act to felony.
Explain the common law offenses of attempt, solicitation of another to commit a felony, conspiracy, compounding a felony,and the statutory offense of accessory after the fact to felony.
Differentiate between types and degrees of specified crimes against persons and property.
Analyze the facts, from scenarios, to determine the correct offense with which to charge a suspect.