Fall 2020 Course Syllabus Course: LGLA-2313- Section: 71 Criminal Law and Procedures

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 - Noon; Thursday 8:00 - Noon; otherwise by appointment
Department	Business and Industrial Technology Chair: Sheila Guillot E-mail: guillsr@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6381 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description	Fundamental concepts of criminal law and procedure from arrest to final disposition including principles of federal and state law emphasizing the role of the paralegal in the criminal justice system.
Prerequisites	LGLA 1307 Intro to Law and Paralegalism taken prior to or concurrently with this course.
Learning Outcomes	1. Understand legal terms by reviewing key terms in the textbook and other assigned readings/projects and learning labs. Understand the difference between a civil and criminal case and the roles of the prosecution and defense attorneys. 2.Locate and draft appropriate documents. Use correct grammar in speech and written word. 3. Understand and be able to articulate unethical practices in the law firm or other workplace.Understand the appropriate confidentiality issues, attorney-client privileges and billing practices. Perform tasks authorized for paralegals, not attorneys. 4. Utilize blackboard through the internet. Draft documents using Word. Submit documents properly and timely. Prepare charts using Excel. Review power points as an additional resource.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills: demonstrates comprehension of content (legal) area reading material. PSLO 1: understand legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment. PSLO 2: apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents. PSLO 3: demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment. PSLO 4: exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals, Third Edition Edward C. Carter, III Wolters Kluwer ISBN: 978-1-5438-0168-2
Lecture Topics Outline	WEEK 1 SECTION I INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Chapter 1 The Criminal Justice Process Chapter 2 The Nature of Crime WEEK 2 Chapter 3 Investigation of Crime in the United States Chapter 4 Prosecution of Crime in the United States WEEK 3 SECTION II CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Chapter 5 The Distinction Between Criminal Law and WEEK 4 SECTION III SUBSTANTIVE CRIMINAL LAW Chapter 6 Principles of Criminal Jurisdiction Chapter 7 The American Federal System and Criminal Jurisdiction WEEK 5 Chapter 8 Constitutional Limits on the Power to Define Crimes Chapter 9 Accountability for Criminal Conduct WEEK 6 Chapter 10 Categories and Types of Criminal Offenses Chapter 11 How Criminal Offenses Are Defined WEEK 7 Chapter 12 Affirmative Defenses-Excuse Chapter 13 Affirmative Defenses-Justification WEEK 8 Chapter 14 Affirmative Defenses-Failure of Proof and Offense Modification Defenses Chapter 15 Affirmative Defenses-Non-Exculpatory Defenses WEEK 9 SECTION IV CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Chapter 16 Criminal Procedure During the Investigative Stage-Search and Seizure Chapter 17 Criminal Procedure During the Investigative Stage-Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Other Rights WEEK 10 Chapter 18 Criminal Procedure at the Charging Stage Chapter 19 Criminal Procedure During the Pre-Trial Stage WEEK 11 Chapter 20 Criminal Procedure During the Trial Stage Chapter 21 Criminal Procedure During the Post-Trial Stage-Sentencing and Beyond WEEKS 12 AND 13 Review for final
Major Assignments Schedule	We will typically cover two chapters per week. Since this class is online, you are able to move through the materials at your own pace; however, it is not suggested that you get more than one chapter ahead. There are approximately 13 weeks of instruction in the semester to allow for review for finals. We are covering 21 chapters in the textbook, so this is about two chapters per week. You will need to keep up with the reading and discussion assignments each week or you WILL get behind! There will be a written discussion board assignment each week from the topic of each chapter/week. Discussion posts are due every Friday at NOON, no exceptions (unless Blackboard goes down). Your responses will be graded for accuracy, writing proficiency, and content. This is a way for us to do writing assignments for a grade while developing good writing and communication skills. You will receive more instruction for each discussion assignment as each one is posted. Tests will generally occur every 4 weeks throughout the semester, with a review prior to each exam. You will be given the dates the test will be open and when it will close at least one week prior so that you can plan accordingly. Tests will cover: Test 1: chapters 1 - 4 Test 2: chapter 5 Test 3: chapters 6 - 15 Final: chapters 16 - 21
Final Exam Date	December 8, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 10, 2020 - 12:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests 75% Discussions 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Attendance Policy	As this is an online course you MUST log into the course on Blackboard at least once per week to be counted present for the week. Lectures, discussion topics, power point slides, and everything you need for the course is ONLY on Blackboard.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other	I am always available by email. If you have en emergency you can text me at 409-718-8613. If you need to meet with me, please make an appointment as during office hours I will likely be making video lectures.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.