CJC 231 Constitutional Law

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

This course covers the impact of the Constitution of the United States and its amendments on the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the Constitution and its amendments, court decisions pertinent to contemporary criminal justice issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss the basic structure of the United States Constitution and the rights/procedures as interpreted by the courts.

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

Analyze the impact of key Supreme Court decisions involving relevant Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Explain the legal justification and requirements for investigative stops, arrests, searches, and seizures with or without a warrant.
Explain the implications of the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination for police and the accused.
Contrast the legal and practical definitions of reasonable suspicion and probable cause.
Analyze various implications of the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Explain the evolution and purpose of the exclusionary rule, including exceptions to the exclusionary rule.