Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for Administration of Justice 60
CRIMINAL LAW
Catalog Description:
60 – Criminal Law
3 units
Historical development, philosophy of law and constitutional provisions; definitions; classification
of crime and their application to the system of administration of justice; frequently used Penal and
other code sections; case law, methodology and concepts of law as a social force. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. explain the cultural evolution of law;
2. answer questions pertaining to philosophical and historical development of law;
3. write briefs concerning decisions rendered in appropriate cases;
4. develop perception of contemporary issues;
5. apply basis of legal concepts;
6. assess legal definitions and concepts;
7. explain the concept of Stare Decisis;
8. define police power;
9. contrast substantive U.S. procedural laws;
10. compare and contrast crimes and torts;
11. explain judicial review;
12. contrast criminal with civil liability;
13. explain the classification of crimes;
14. explain double jeopardy;
15. describe the elements of the crime;
16. explain difference between arrest and a detention;
17. contrast the letter of the law with the spirit of the law;
18. identify major elements of homicide in California;
19. compare and contrast robbery and extortion;
20. explain the difference between arrest and battery;
21. identify sexual assault statutes;
22. identify civil disobedience laws;
23. define burglary;
24. define arson;
25. describe the theft statutes;
26. explain the Dangerous Weapons Control Law.
Course Content:
1. Philosophical and historical development
a. General and specific sources of law
b. Development of common law
c. The concept of Stare Decisis
d. Pre-emption
e. Repeal
f. Mala in Se vs. Mala prohibits crime
g. Crimes without victims
h. Federal constitutional provisions
i. Police power
j. Substantive vs. procedural law
2. The nature of criminal law
Chabot College
Course Outline for Administration of Justice 60, Page 2
Fall 2010
3.
4.
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a. Definition of crime and criminal
b. Conflicts between statutes
c. Distinction between crimes and torts
d. Criminal and civil liability
e. Judicial review
Case law
a. Orientation to case citations
b. Outline of the legal brief
c. Use of the law library
d. Attorney general opinions
Classification of crimes
a. Distinction between felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions
b. Punishments
c. Prior convictions
d. Lesser and included offenses
e. Double jeopardy
Corpus Delicti – Elements of Crime
a. Role of corpus delicti
b. Act and intent – negligence
c. Proximate cause
d. General intent
e. Specific intent
f. Transferred intent
Capacity to commit crime
a. Exemptions to criminal liability
b. Diminished capacity
c. Capital crimes
d. Malice
e. Motive
f. Intoxication
g. Parties to a crime
h. Attempts
i. Conspiracy
Overview of specific crimes
a. Crimes against the person and property
b. Crimes against public decency, morality and the public peace
1) Historical development
2) Constitutionally related issues
3) Community standards
Organization and operation of the correctional system
a. Local, state and federal systems
b. Probation and parole
Research into specific case law and crimes
a. Research methods and proper citations
b. Preparation of a legal brief
c. Issues involved in form, accuracy, and style
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Do homework assignments on the different types of homicides
b. Research assignment of court decisions applicable to a specific crime
c. Prepare construction of paper work of a legal brief
d. Do group research project on classifications of crime with class group and report on a
particular crime
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. attendance and participation
b. quizzes, midterm
Chabot College
Course Outline for Administration of Justice 60, Page 3
Fall 2010
c. individual written brief
d. oral and written presentation of group research project
e. final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Peace Officer’s Guide to Criminal Law, 22nd edition, 2003 by George Payton, Criminal
Svc. Publisher.
Justice
Rationale for using older textbook: This book is, by far, the best book in this field and
author has not updated his book. It may be updated in 2010.
the
Special Student Materials:
None.
ADMJ 60, revised 9/09: cs