Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2313 (Section: 71, CRN: 91723)
Criminal Law and Procedures 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday / 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday / 2:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday / 9:00am-12:00pm
 Thursday / 2:00pm-4:30pm
Friday- Availiable by Appointment
Additional Contact Information None
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.

LGLA 2313-71-Criminal Law/ Procedures

Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal, Fourth Edition

ISBN 9781543847307

Publisher- Aspen Publishing
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • LGLA-1307 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions
Learning Outcomes
  • Use terminology relating to criminal law and procedure;
     
  • Analyze cases relating to criminal law and procedure;
     
  • Draft documents used in criminal law and procedure;
     
  • And analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to criminal law and procedure.
Program Student Learning Outcomes 1. Understand legal terms and the paralegal’s role in the legal environment.
2. Apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
3. Demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
4. Exhibit the ability to use computer skills.  
Lecture Topics Outline
Chapter 1. The Criminal Justice Process
Chapter 2. The Nature of Crime
Chapter 4. Prosecution of Crime in the United States Chapter 5. The Distinction Between Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Chapter 6. Principles of Criminal Jurisdiction
Chapter 7. The American Federal System and Criminal Jurisdiction
Chapter 8. Constitutional Limits on the Power to Define Crime
Chapter 9. Accountability for Criminal Conduct
Chapter 10. Categories and Types of Criminal Offenses Chapter 10. How Criminal Offenses Are Defined
Chapter 11. Affirmative Defenses—Excuse 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
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
Week 1 Chapter 1. The Criminal Justice Process
Week 2 Chapter 2. The Nature of Crime
Week 3 *Assignment 1 Chapter 4. Prosecution of Crime in the United States Chapter 5. The Distinction Between Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Week 4 *Exam 1 Chapter 6. Principles of Criminal Jurisdiction
Week 5 Chapter 7. The American Federal System and Criminal Jurisdiction
Week 6 Chapter 8. Constitutional Limits on the Power to Define Crime
Week 7 *Assignment 2 Chapter 9. Accountability for Criminal Conduct
Week 8 *Exam 2 Chapter 10. Categories and Types of Criminal Offenses Chapter 10. How Criminal Offenses Are Defined
Week 9 Chapter 11. Affirmative Defenses—Excuse Chapter 12. Affirmative Defenses—Excuse
Week 10 *Assignment 3 Chapter 13. Affirmative Defenses—Justification Chapter 14. Affirmative Defenses—Failure of Proof and Offense Modification Defenses
Week 11 Chapter 15. Affirmative Defenses—Non-Exculpatory Defenses
Week 12 *Exam 3 Chapter 16. Criminal Procedure During the Investigative Stage—Search and Seizure
Week 13 Chapter 17. Criminal Procedure During the Investigative Stage—Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Other Rights
Week 14 *Assignment 4 Chapter 18. Criminal Procedure at the Charging Stage Chapter 19. Criminal Procedure During the Pre-Trial Stage
Week 15 Chapter 20. Criminal Procedure During the Trial Stage 
Chapter 21. Criminal Procedure During the Post-Trial State
                        —Sentencing and Beyond
Week 16 *Final Exam  Final
Final Exam Date December 6, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 11, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class.
Determination of
Final Grade		 Discussions- 20%
Exams - 30%
Assignments - 20%
Webinar Journals 10%
Final Exam - 20% 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. Read Assigned Chapter(s) for the week.
2. Study Key Terms.
3. Work any assignments for that week in Blackboard Ultra.

Exams & Assignments : All exams will open on the designated week. If student fails to complete the exam before the closing date, student will receive a zero unless student has an excused absent. (example: Covid, sick, doctor's appointment, etc.) Student is to make arrangements to make up the test. Exams will consist of multiple choice and true or false questions.

Books:

Every student must have a copy of the required textbook or E-book as soon as the bookstore has it available or 2nd week.

Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.

Instructor will put grades into Blackboard. Students should keep a record of their own grades and average. Instructors will not average grades for students.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person or email me.

Make-up or Late Assignments and exams
Will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Dishonest/Cheating:

1. Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student, both students will receive a zero on the assignment. There is a difference between helping or showing someone how to do the work and someone giving their assignment to a student to copy.
2. Any student caught cheating on a test or final, will receive a "F" for the course.

It is student's responsibility to check their email and blackboard ultra for any updates to class schedules or class work.

Blackboard Issues: Any log in, passwords, or software problems needs to be resolved by the IT department. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting for IT problems that can't be solved by class work deadlines.

Pearson Issues: If you have issues with Pearson, student is to call Pearson Tech support. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting with Pearson issues.
Attendance Policy Attend weekly webinars on Mondays 7:30pm

The instructor will present information on a variety of topics which may include the current week's readings, discussion boards, or assignments, as well as answer questions about the course content.
 
The Weekly Webinar will be held through blackboard collaborate. It is recommended that students attend the webinars to benefit from the opportunity to interact with the professor and peers, increasing the chances of success in the course. However, webinar attendance is not mandatory. If you do not attend live, you will need to access the recorded webinars (posted each week in the Announcements section) in order to make your weekly journal entries regarding the key points in each.
 
Additional Information None
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