Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: CRIJ-1306 (Section: 71, CRN: 93430)
Courts Systems and Practices 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Trazarra Stelly
Email stellytn1@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6102
Office Educational I - Room: 131
Office Hours Virtual Office Hours by appointment only. Monday - Thursday (Flexible Times). Contact instructor by email or telephone to schedule an appointment.
Additional Contact Information Email is the preferred method of contact. You can also contact Ms. Stelly by phone at (409) 984-6504.
Course Information
Description This course is a study of the court system as it applies to the structures, procedures, practices and sources of law in American courts, using federal and Texas statutes and case law.
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 Courts: A Contemporary Perspective, by Hemmens, Brody and Spohn. 5th Edition. Sage Publishing. ISBN 978-1-0718-3389-6
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Describe the American judicial systems (civil, criminal, and juvenile), their jurisdiction, development and structure.
  • Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group.
  • Identify judicial processes from pretrial to appeal.
  • Describe the significant Constitutional Amendments, doctrines, and other sources of law in the American judicial system.
Core Objectives
  • Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or 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.
  • Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline Lectures will cover all 14 chapters: 

Section I: The Purpose and Structure Of American Courts
Chapter 1- Introduction: Law and the Judicial Function
Chapter 2- Sources of Law
Chapter 3- Types of Law
Chapter 4- Court Organization and Structure

Section II: Courtroom Actors and The Courtroom Work Group
Chapter 5:  Prosecutors
Chapter 6: Defense Attorneys
Chapter 7: Judges
Chapter 8:  Criminal Defendant and Crime Victims
Chapter 9: The Jury

Section III: Court Processes
Chapter 10: Pretrial Procedures
Chapter 11: The Criminal Trial
Chapter 12: Sentencing
Chapter 13: The Appellate Process
Chapter 14: Specialized Courts
Major Assignments Schedule

DATE
 		 TOPIC READINGS
(Due on this Date)
 		 ASSIGNMENTS
(Due on this Date)
Submission Deadline is BEFORE 10 p.m. on scheduled date. Initial Discussion post due on Wednesdays. Replies to Peers on Saturdays.
8/25-8/30 Introduction/Orientation Week 8/27: Syllabus Review 8/27:

  • Introduction Discussion
8/30:

  • Discussion Replies
  • Introduction Assignment
  • Syllabus Quiz
8/31-9/6 Section I: The Purpose and Structure of American Courts
 		 9/3: Chapter 1- Introduction: Law and the Judicial Function 9/6:

  • Chapter 1 Assignment
9/7-9/13   9/10: Chapter 2- Sources of Law & Chapter 3-Types of Law 9/10:

  • Chapter 2 & 3 Discussion
9/13:

  • Discussion Replies
9/14-9/20   9/17: Chapter 4- Court Organization and Structure 9/20:

  • Chapter 4 Assignment
  • Chapter 1-4 Quiz
9/21-9/27 Section II: Courtroom Actors and the Courtroom Work Group
 		 9/24:
Chapter 5- Prosecutors
Chapter 6- Defense Attorneys		 9/27:

  • Chapter 5 & 6 Assignment
9/28-10/4   10/1: Chapter 7- Judges 10/1:

  • Final Project Topic Due
  • Chapter 7 Discussion
10/4:

  • Discussion Replies
10/5-10/11   10/8: Chapter 8 - Criminal Defendants and Crime Victims 10/11:

  • Chapter 8 Assignment
10/12-10/18   10/15: Chapter 9- The Jury 10/15:

  • Chapter 9 Discussion
10/18:

  • Discussion Replies
  • Chapter 5-9 Quiz
10/19-10/25 Section III: Court Processes 10/22: Chapter 10 - Pretrial Procedure 10/25:

  • Chapter 10 Assignment
10/26-11/1   10/29: Chapter 11- The Criminal Trial 11/1:

  • Chapter 11 Assignment
11/2-11/8   11/5: Chapter 12-Sentencing 11/5:

  • Chapter 12 Discussion
11/8:

  • Discussion Replies
  • Final Project Outlines/Drafts Due
11/9-11/15   11/12: Chapter 13- The Appellate Process
 		 11/15:

  • Chapter 13 Assignment
11/16-11/22   11/19: Chapter 14- Specialized Courts 11/22:

  • Chapter 10-14 Quiz
11/23-11/29
 		 Work on Final Project Work on Final Projects Work on Final Projects
11/30-12/6
 		 Work on Final Project Work on Final Projects 12/6: Final Projects Due before 10 p.m.
12/7-12/11 FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED

Final Exam Date December 3, 2025 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 6, 2025 - 10:0 PM
Grading Scale
Determination of
Final Grade		 Discussions- 20%
Assignments- 40%
Quizzes- 15%
Final Project- 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies I DO NOT accept LATE WORK. All items are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will only be discussed on a case by case basis. (ex. Medical situations such as hospitalization with verification)
Plagiarism is NOT tolerated at Lamar State College Port Arthur. Therefore, plagiarism is NOT tolerated in this class. If plagiarism is discovered, all previously graded work is subject to regrading. 

THIS BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS BY EMAIL. 
Attendance Policy Active participation in this online class is important to your success. You are expected to log into your Blackboard at least 3 times weekly. 
Additional Information TIMELY CARE: TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for Lamar State College Port Arthur  students. Any enrolled student can use TimelyCare. There is no cost to students. Go to timelycare.com/LSCPA or download the TimelyCare app to access care.
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431