Saint Martin's College
Department of Criminal Justice
Spring Semester 2002
Criminal Justice 304: Law and Evidence
Professor: Victor M. Kogan
Classroom: 310
Time: 02:30 PM-03:50 PM
Days: T-TR
Office: Room 307
Office Hours: 10:00-12:00 M-T-W-TR-F
Office Phone: 438-4348
E-mail: vkogan@stmartin.edu
PURPOSE:
This course is designed to present a basic look at the U.S. Criminal law and its application. It will introduce you to the main ideas and doctrines of Criminal law, concepts of Criminal liability and responsibility, essential elements of different types of crimes, problems of evidence, constitutional limitations and guidelines, and analysis of case decisions highlighting the general principles in the context of real life.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. J. Samaha. Criminal Law. Sixth Edition, West/Wadsworth, 1999.
2. David Neubauer. Debating Crime: Rhetoric and Reality, Wadsworth, 2001.
3. K. Swisher, C. Wekesser (Eds.) Violence Against Women.
Current Controversies, Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994 (Handout).
4. P. Harris. Black Rage Confronts the Law. New York University Press, 1997(Handout).
5. P. Winter (Ed.) Hate Crimes. Current Controversies, Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1996(Handout).
CLASS REQUIREMENTS:
You will be invited to participate actively in learning rather than passively absorbing information.
1. Each student will be assigned writing a short essay for each discussion so that concepts based upon the source materials may be formulated, tested and mastered. You have to have a green folder to keep your essays together. These essays will be presented orally to the class. If your essay is late you get minus point. The later your essay is the more points you get off.
2. You are expected to attend class in order to actively participate in class discussions. Your grade will be lowered for each absence with no proper excuse more than once.
GRADING SYSTEM:
1.Participation in class discussion including essays - 40%,
2.Tests (10% each) - 40%,
3.Final Examination - 20%.
There will be 500 possible points and grades will be assigned as follows:
95-100% = A
90-94% = A-
85-89% = B+
80-84% = B
75-79% = B-
70-74% = C+
64-69% = C
60-64% = C-
55-59% = D
54 and below = F
COURSE OUTLINE:
01.Jan.15.T. - 02.Jan.17.Tr.
The Nature, Origin, and Purpose of Criminal Law.
Read J. Samaha, Criminal Law, Ch.1, p.1-30.
Discussion:
Perspectives on Debating Crime - Read: Neubauer, Ch. I, p. 8-34.
03.Jan.22.T. - 04.Jan.24.Tr.
The Constitutional Limits on Criminal Law. Read
J. Samaha, Ch.2, p. 35-75.
Discussion:
Debating Crime and Guns - Read: Neubauer, Ch. II, p. 35-51.
05.Jan.29.T.
The General Principles of Criminal Liability. Read
J. Samaha, Ch.3, p.78-114.
06.Jan.31.Tr. Test # 1 (Ch.1-3)
07.Feb.05.T. - 08.Feb.07.Tr.
The General Principles of Criminal Liability Read
J. Samaha, Ch.4, p.116-143.
Discussion:
Debating Limits of Police Power - Read: Neubauer, Ch. III, p. 52-64.
09.Feb.12.T. - 10.Feb.14.Tr.
Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.5, p.146-171.
Discussion:
Debating the Role of Crime Victim - Read: Neubauer, Ch. IY, p. 75-92.
11.Feb.19.T. - 12.Feb.21.Tr.
Uncompleted Crimes: Attempt, Conspiracy, and Solicitation, Read J. Samaha, Ch.6, p.176-221.
Discussion:
Debating the Fairness of Courts - Read: Neubauer, Ch. Y, p.93-113.
13.Feb.26.T. Test # 2 (Ch.4-6)
14.Feb.28.Tr. - 15.Mar.05.T.
Defenses to Criminal Liability: Justifications.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.7, p.212-271.
Discussion:
Debating Sentencing - Read: Neubauer, Ch. VI, p.114-131.
Discussion:
Is the "Battered Woman's Syndrome" a Legitimate Defense?
Read Violence Against Women. Current Controversies, 1994,
p. 272-308; C. Rosen, The Excuse of Self-Defense:
Correcting a Historical Accident on Behalf of Battered
Women Who Kill – In: A. Loewy (Ed.) A Criminal Law Anthology,
Anderson Publishing Co., 1992, p. 326-339.
00.Mar.11.M. Mid-Term grades due in Record Office
16.Mar.07.Tr. - 17.Mar.12.T.
Defenses to Criminal Liability: Excuses.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.8, p.282-320.
Discussion:
Debating “Equal Justice Under Law”: Race and Gender –
Read: Neubauer, Ch. VII, p. 132-153.
Discussion:
To Use or Not to Use Black Rage Defense. Read Black Rage
Confronts the Law, 1997, p.147-162, 163-182,183-202.
18.Mar.14.Tr. Test #2 (Ch.7-8)
00.Mar.16-Mar.24. Spring vacation
19.Mar.26.T. - 20.Mar.28.Tr. - 21.Apr.02.T.
Crimes Against Persons: Criminal Homicide.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.9, p.324-381.
Discussion:
Debating Prisons - Read: Neubauer, Ch. VIII, p. 154-175.
Discussion:
J. Dressler. Rethinking Heat of Passion: A Defense in
Search of a Rationale - In: A. Loewy (Ed.) A Criminal
Law Anthology, Anderson Publishing Co., 1992, p. 123-134.
00.Mar.29 - Apr.01. Easter Recess. No classes.
22.Apr.04.Tr. - 23.Apr.09.T. - 24.Apr.11.Tr.
Crimes Against Persons: Criminal Sexual Conduct
and Others. Read J. Samaha, Ch.10, p.384-425.
Discussion:
What Causes Rape? Read Violence Against Women, p.46-79.
S. Estrich. Rape, In: A. Loewy (Ed.) A Criminal Law
Anthology, Anderson Publishing Co., 1992, p. 156-181.
25.Apr.16.T. Test # 3 (Ch.9-10)
26.Apr.18.Tr.
Crimes Against Habitation: Burglary and Arson.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.11, p.428-442.
Discussion:
Should Special Penalties Apply to Hate Crimes?
Read Hate Crimes, p. 114-149.
27.Apr.23.T.
Crimes Against Property.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.12, p.444-479.
28.Apr.25.Tr. - 29.Apr.30.T. Honor Convocation
Crimes Against Public Order and Morals.
Read J. Samaha, Ch.13, p.482-515.
30.May.02.Tr.
Discussion:
Debating Holy War: Public Morals and Private Vices –
Read: Neubauer, Ch.X, p.195-215.
00.May 07.T. (03:15-05:15 PM) – CJ 304 FINAL EXAM