Fall 2023 Course Syllabus Course: LGLA-2313 (Section: 71, CRN: 91723) Criminal Law and Procedures

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
Email	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Umphrey Industrial Technology Center - Room: 201A
Office Hours	BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. SEND AN EMAIL TO SCHEDULE A TIME.
Additional Contact Information	CELL 409-718-8613
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.
Required 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
Additional Materials/Resources	I will post YouTube court channels and other resources in the course on Blackboard throughout the semester
Corequisites/Prerequisites	LGLA 1307 Intro to Law and Legal Professions taken prior to or concurrently with this course.
Learning Outcomes	1. Use terminology relating to criminal law and procedure; 2. Analyze cases relating to criminal law and procedure; 3. Draft documents used in criminal law and procedure; and 4. Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to criminal law and procedure.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	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.
Lecture Topics Outline	SECTION I INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Chapter 1 The Criminal Justice Process Chapter 2 The Nature of Crime Chapter 3 Investigation of Crime in the United States Chapter 4 Prosecution of Crime in the United States SECTION II CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Chapter 5 The Distinction Between Criminal Law and SECTION III SUBSTANTIVE CRIMINAL LAW Chapter 6 Principles of Criminal Jurisdiction Chapter 7 The American Federal System and Criminal Jurisdiction Chapter 8 Constitutional Limits on the Power to Define Crimes Chapter 9 Accountability for Criminal Conduct Chapter 10 Categories and Types of Criminal Offenses Chapter 11 How Criminal Offenses Are Defined Chapter 12 Affirmative Defenses-Excuse Chapter 13 Affirmative Defenses-Justification Chapter 14 Affirmative Defenses-Failure of Proof and Offense Modification Defenses Chapter 15 Affirmative Defenses-Non-Exculpatory Defenses 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 Chapter 18 Criminal Procedure at the Charging Stage Chapter 19 Criminal Procedure During the Pre-Trial Stage Chapter 20 Criminal Procedure During the Trial Stage Chapter 21 Criminal Procedure During the Post-Trial Stage-Sentencing and Beyond
Major Assignments Schedule	ONLINE LECTURES We will typically cover two chapters per week. 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! I recommend that you read the chapter first, then review the PowerPoint slides for that chapter. Watch the lecture video for the chapter after you have read the chapter. The concepts will make more sense if you are familiar with them first by reading the chapter, before you watch the video lecture.  DISREGARD DATES IN THE VIDEO LECTURES. These were recording in a prior semester, so any dates mentioned for tests or other due dates are no good. I will email you with dates that tests will open and close about a week prior to each test so that you can plan accordingly.  The order of the lectures follows the chapters in the textbook: DISCUSSION BOARD ON BLACKBOARD 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 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 LECTURE TOPICS 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
Final Exam Date	December 7, 2023 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 12:0 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	I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must make an appointment
Attendance Policy	Attendance is important to be able to learn and understand the concepts in this class. Lectures, discussion topics, power point slides, and everything you need for the course is on Blackboard. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE COURSE ON BLACKBOARD AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK TO BE COUNTED "PRESENT" IN THE CLASS FOR THE WEEK.
Additional Information	I am always available by email. If you have en emergency you can text me at 409-718-8613 (an emergency would be if Blackboard crashes during an online exam). DO NOT TEXT ME AFTER 7PM OR BEFORE 7AM PLEASE! If you need to meet with me, please make an appointment for an in person meeting or a Zoom video conference.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect	As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct	LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting	For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern	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.
Department Information	Business and Industrial Technology Chair: Sheila Guillot Email: guillsr@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6381