Criminal Justice Administration 320: Administration of Criminal Law
Spring 2015
Wednesday 19:00-21:40
ARTN-412
Blaine K. Bowman Chambers (Confidential direct line and voice mail): (760) 201-8382
E-Mail: blaine.bowman@sdcourt.ca.gov
Office Hours: By appointment only.
Course Objective: Through the case study approach to achieve a basic understanding of
the substantive criminal law: offenses, limits, defenses, and application, with concentrated
emphasis on California criminal law.
Required Text: Joel Samaha, Criminal Law (11th edition).
Outside Reading: This course will cover cases and materials beyond those in the text.
Students must retrieve California cases.
Attendance: If you do not attend class on a regular basis, you will not pass the class. If
you don’t want to attend class on a regular basis, drop this course now! I will not be
offended. I cover many areas during the lecture that are not in the book. Solid
attendance and class participation can bump you up a half of a grade (+/-). I will take roll
at every class. If you are unable to attend a class, DO NOT CALL ME. All students are
responsible for any announcements made in class (i.e. changes to the tentative class
schedule).
Etiquette: Participating in side-chatter or causing disruptions will not be tolerated.
Class ends at 9:40 p.m.. Do not expect to get out earlier. Students are expected to
respond to the instructor and other students in a respectful and civil manner.
Cheating: Anyone caught cheating on any exam, or other assignment, will receive an
“F” for the entire course and will be reported immediately for disciplinary proceedings to
the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities. All tests are closed book. Examples
of cheating include using notes or other materials during an exam, copying another
student’s answers, removing an exam from class, and looking through the instructor’s
notes during a break. Baseball hats can’t be worn during tests.
Add Codes: Add codes cannot be used without my permission.
Policy on whining: There will be no whining.
Grading:
Midterm
Final (covers whole course)
40%
60%
TENTATIVE Course Coverage and Homework Assignments:
This tentative schedule will probably change. You must attend class to learn of any
changes. Again, this is tentative.
1-28
Nature and Limits of Criminal Law (Chap 1); Classification of offenses in
California. The Criminal Act (Chap 3); The General Principles of Criminal
Liability (Chap 4: 123-139; 143-148);
Outside reading: Penal Code section 20
2-4
Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability (Chap 7: 229-240)
Outside reading: Penal Code §§ 30, 32, 971.
People v. Beeman 35 Cal.3d 547
199 Cal.Rptr. 60
2-11
Inchoate Crimes: Attempt, Conspiracy, and Solicitation (Chap 8)
Outside reading: Penal Code §§ 21a, 664.
People v. Vizcarra 110 Cal.App. 3d 858
168 Cal.Rprt.257
People v. Rojas
55Cal.2d 252; 10 Cal.Rptr 465
2-18
Defenses to Criminal Liability: Justifications (Chap 5)
Outside reading: Penal Code section 198.5
People v. Slack
210 Cal.App.3d 937
258 Cal.Rptr. 702
2-25
Defenses to Criminal Liability: Excuses (Chap 6: 193-206; 217-218).
Outside reading: Penal Code §22
People v. Wilson
66 Cal.2d 749; 59 Cal.Rptr.156
3-4
Mid-term Exam
3-11
Crimes Against the Person I: Criminal Homicide (Chap 9)
Outside reading: Penal Code §194
People v Nieto-Benitez 4Cal.4th91;13CalRptr2d 864
3-18
Homicide Case Studies.
3-25
Homicide Case Studies
4-1
Spring Break. No class.
4-8
Group Study. Homicide Case Roundtable.
4-15
Criminal Sexual Conduct (Chap 10):
Outside reading: Penal Code §§ 261, 261.5, 261.6, 261.7,
People v. Hernandez
61 Cal.2d 529
39 Cal.Rptr. 361
In re John Z.
29 Cal.4th 756
128 Cal.Rptr.2d 783
4-22
Crimes Against Property (Chap 11)
Outside reading: Penal Code section 459
People v. Moore
31 Cal.App.4th 489
37 Cal.Rptr.2d 104
People v. Estes
147 Cal.App.3d 23;
194 Cal.Rprt 909
People v. Lescallett 123 Cal.App.3d 487
176 Cal.Rptr. 687
4-29
Driving Under the Influence
Outside reading: People v. Watson
People v. Wilson
In re Queen T.
Morphew v. DMV
5-6
Final Exam (covers entire course)
30 Cal3d 290; 179 Cal.Rptr. 43
176 Cal.App.3d Supp. 1
222 Cal.Rptr. 540
14 Cal.App.4th 1143;
17 Cal.Rptr.2d 922
137 Cal.App.3d 738;
188 Cal.Rptr. 126