Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course, offered in accelerated format. This means that 16 weeks of material is covered in 8 weeks. The exact number of hours per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to spend 10-25 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research.
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This course covers the topic of criminal evidence. It begins with a history and development of criminal evidence and examines the difference between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. Students learn about the importance of witness testimony and examine the rules regarding lay witnesses and expert witness. The course also introduces students to the appropriate use of judicial notice and discusses different privileges in evidence law, including who holds the privilege and the scope of the privilege. Students are introduced to the hearsay rule and examine its exemptions and exceptions. The course covers the exclusionary rule and evidence obtained in violation of this rule and also discusses evidence resulting from valid searches, with special attention to “special needs” searches and administrative searches. Inquiry is made into evidence stemming from confessions, including confessions that violate the Miranda rule. The course concludes with detailed examination of physical evidence, crime scene evidence, documentary evidence, and scientific evidence.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1.
Explain evidence law and describe different types of evidence.
2.
Analyze the historical reason(s) why rules of evidence in the U.S. are more restrictive than those established by other countries.
3.
Describe and explain the Federal Rules of Evidence
4.
Differentiate between the burden of proof and burden of persuasion and explain the burdens on the prosecution and defense in a criminal trial.

5.
Describe and demonstrate procedures for introducing evidence and the roles of those in the court room with regard to presenting, challenging, and evaluating evidence.
6.
Summarize how facts can be established without evidence through admissions, stipulations, and judicial notice.
7.
Classify opinion testimonial evidence as lay opinion or expert opinion.
8.
Define hearsay and describe exceptions to the hearsay rule.
9.
Define the exclusionary rule and evaluate exceptions to the rule.
10.
Define the law of privileges and identify commonly invoked evidentiary privileges.
Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success at CSU-Global Campus.
Failure to verify your attendance within the first 7 days of this course may result in your withdrawal. If for some reason you would like to drop a course, please contact your advisor.
Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on-campus classes. Budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your instructor know as soon as possible.
Required:
Gardner, T. J., & Anderson, T. M. (2013). Criminal evidence: Principles and cases (8th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. ISBN-13: 9781111838034
**All non-textbook required readings and materials necessary to complete assignments, discussions, and/or supplemental or required exercises will be provided within the course itself. Please read through each course module carefully.
The Academic Week at CSU-Global begins on Monday and ends the following Sunday.

Discussion Boards: The original post must be completed by Thursday at 12 midnight MT and Peer
Responses posted by Sunday 12 midnight MT. Late posts may not be awarded points.

Mastery Exercises: Students may access and retake mastery exercises through the last day of class until they achieve the scores they desire.

Critical Thinking Activities: Assignments are due Sunday at 12 midnight MT.

Week #
Readings Assignments

Chapters 1 & 4 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases

Zunker, T. (2013). Evidence – General concepts [PowerPoint

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (70 points)
 slides]. Greenwood Village, CO: Colorado State University-
Global Campus.
Chapter 5 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases

Chapters 6, 7 & 8 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases

Zunker, T. (2013). The Hearsay Rule and its exceptions
[PowerPoint slides]. Greenwood Village, CO: Colorado State
University-Global Campus.

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (70 points)

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (70 points)

Chapters 9, 10 & 11 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (20 points)

Critical Thinking (70 points)

Chapters 12 & 13 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases


Chapters 14 & 15 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases
Zunker, T. (2013). Exceptions to the warrant requirement
[PowerPoint slides]. Greenwood Village, CO: Colorado State
University-Global Campus.

Chapters 16 & 17 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Critical Thinking (70 points)


Chapter 18 in Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases
Ambrogi, R. (2011, October 7). Two more states adopt
Daubert, bringing total to 32. Retrieved from http://www.imsexpertservices.com/blog/2011/two-more-states-adoptdaubert-bringing-total-to-32/

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (10 points)

Discussion (25 points)

Mastery Exercise (20 points)

Portfolio (350 points)
This course includes the following assignments/projects:
Module 1
Critical Thinking: Shaken Baby Syndrome (70 Points)
Research and report on “shaken baby syndrome” (SBR) and the use of this classification in criminal trials. Find at least two references of which one supports the use of such a syndrome for prosecution purposes and the other argues against the use of SBR for prosecution, arguing that SBR is not based on exact science and that it can be misused by prosecutors against defendants. Address the rules related to the burden on the prosecution and the burden placed on the defendant for this syndrome.

Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least three credible sources other than the course textbook. You can find these credible sources in the CSU-Global Library. Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for writing and APA Style.
Module 2
Critical Thinking: Child Witnesses (70 points)
According to this week’s textbook readings, laws have been enacted to protect children and minimize emotional damage when it comes to the use of children as witnesses. For this assignment, address the following items:
1.
Research the history of children as witnesses in court and describe the evolution of legal procedures that regulate practice with respect to child witnesses.
2.
Identify statutes that aid children as witnesses and describe the procedures by which children are aided.
3.
Explain how the process protects children while gathering facts to use as evidence.
4.
Explain how these laws relate to historical reasons why U.S. rules are more restrictive than those established by other countries.
In answering the last question, you may consider evidence law generally, and not only specific to child witnesses.
Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least three credible sources other than (or in addition to) the course textbook. You can find these credible sources in the CSU-Global Library.
Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for writing and APA
Style.
Module 3
Critical Thinking: The Hearsay Rule (70 Points)
Research the hearsay rule and the trial United States v. Hernandez (1985). Then write a 2- to 3-page essay responding to each of the following items: and summarize the trial. Answer these questions:
1.
Summarize the hearsay rule and the trial.
2.
Describe the final outcome of the appeal by Hernandez.
3.
Explain how and why the hearsay rule played such a critical part in this case.
4.
Describe your thoughts about the Supreme Court decision, based on the fact that the information from U.S. Customs was factual.
5.
If sitting as a Supreme Court judge, would you have come to the same conclusion? Why or why not?
Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least two credible sources other than (or in addition to) the course textbook. You can find these credible sources in the CSU-Global Library.
Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for writing and APA
Style.
Module 4
Critical Thinking: The Exclusionary Rule (70 Points)
Research and summarize the history of the exclusionary rule in our court system. Then write a 2- to 3-page essay responding to each of the following items:
1.
Why was the exclusionary rule implemented?
2.
What advantages does the exclusionary rule extend to defendants?
3.
Evaluate whether the exclusionary rule may hinder the discovery of the truth.
4.
Which is more important and why: punishing guilty defendants or upholding the Constitution and deterring improper police conduct? How does the exclusionary rule factor into your answer?

Research and cite two cases in support of your answer. Be sure to reference and discuss the cases, clearly assessing the effect of the exclusionary rule in the case, including whether any exceptions applied. A good place to start research of a case would be Google Scholar or LexisNexis located in the CSU-Global Library.
Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least two cases. Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for writing and APA Style.
Module 6
Critical Thinking: Evidence in the Casey Anthony Trial (70 Points)
Research the Casey Anthony trial. Then write a 2- to 3-page essay responding to the following items:
1.
Summarize the case and trial.
2.
Evaluate the findings of the court and critically evaluate criticisms on both sides of the findings.
3.
Write a list of the evidence that was provided at trial and specify whether each piece of evidence was physical (real) evidence.
4.
Describe what pieces of evidence that were not provided might have been critical in determining the truth of the case.
5.
Describe some examples of facts the courts could establish through admissions, stipulations, or judicial notice.
6.
Discuss witness testimony, including lay witness and expert witness. Compare and contrast the roles of expert testimony and lay witness testimony in the case and describe the evidence of both types that were offered.
Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least two credible sources other than (or in addition to) the course textbook. You can find these credible sources in the CSU-Global Library.
Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for APA Style.
Module 8
Portfolio Project (350 Points)
For the Portfolio Project due at the end of Week 8, you will apply what you have learned about laws of evidence to a Fact Pattern, which will serve as a fictional case study.
Download the Fact Pattern by linking from the Portfolio Project Description on the Week 8 Assignments page.
For this assignment, you will submit two deliverables in the same document: an evidence chart and a critical essay.
Deliverable 1: Evidence Chart
Download an evidence chart template that can be used to create the evidence chart for this assignment, which should be pasted into the same document as Deliverable 2, the critical essay.
Download the evidence chart by linking from the Portfolio Project Description on the Week 8 Assignments page.
In the evidence chart, list and describe all possible evidentiary items and issues of evidentiary law contained in the
Portfolio Project Fact Pattern. With regard to each item, identify all the evidentiary rule(s) an attorney could cite to the court to have the item admitted into evidence or suppressed during trial and provide an explanation as to your reliance on the particular rule(s). For purposes of this project, assume the Federal Rules of Evidence are the applicable rules as well as any constitutional rules that may apply.
**Note to students: you may need to add rows and columns
Deliverable 2: Critical Essay
For purposes of this exercise, answer using the Federal Rules of Evidence. Discuss the evidentiary issues that arise in State v. Lauren. In discussing these legal issues, be clear about the evidentiary rule of law, citing the applicable rule. Apply facts from the case to the law and come to a conclusion on the evidentiary issue. In addition to legal

rules, you should discuss at least four relevant cases studied in this course or researched for this project insofar as they are relevant to the legal issue raised in this case. Distinguish and/or use analogy to compare the facts from the researched cases to the facts in this case. For best practices with respect to the organization of your essay, you are encouraged to address each issue with a clear heading or subheading as necessary.
In writing your project, be sure to remain objective—don’t sway to one side or the other without clear justification.
Consider all possible arguments and issues that could be raised with each piece of evidence. Note that precision is key in addressing legal rules of evidence.
Be sure to address the applicable burdens raised in this case.
Your paper should be 8-10 pages in length and include discussion and citation of at least four credible sources other than (or in addition to) the course textbook. You can find these credible sources in the CSU-Global Library.
Document formatting and source citations should be in conformity with CSU-Global guidelines for writing and APA
Style.
Course Grading
20% Discussion Participation
10% Mastery Exercises
35% Critical Thinking Activities
35% Final Portfolio Paper
A
A-
B+
Grading Scale and Policies
95.0 – 100
90.0 – 94.9
86.7 – 89.9
B 83.3 – 86.6
B-
C+
80.0 – 83.2
75.0 – 79.9
C
D
70.0 – 74.9
60.0 – 69.9
F 59.9 or below
In-Classroom Policies
For information on late work and Incomplete grade policies, please refer to our In-Classroom Student Policies and Guidelines or the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU-Global institutional policies.
Academic Integrity

Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, reusing /re-purposing your own work (see CSU-Global Guide to Writing and
APA Requirements for percentage of repurposed work that can be used in an assignment), unauthorized possession of academic materials, and unauthorized collaboration. The CSU-Global Library provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use the Library and Internet resources.
Citing Sources with APA Style
All students are expected to follow the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements when citing in APA
(based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition) for all assignments. For details on CSU-Global APA style, please review the APA resources within the CSU-Global Library under the “APA Guide & Resources” link. A link to this document should also be provided within most assignment descriptions on your course’s Assignments page.
Netiquette
Respect the diversity of opinions among the instructor and classmates and engage with them in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner. All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in accordance with the student code of conduct. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant?
How will the person on the other end read the words?
Maintain an environment free of harassment, stalking, threats, abuse, insults or humiliation toward the instructor and classmates. This includes, but is not limited to, demeaning written or oral comments of an ethnic, religious, age, disability, sexist (or sexual orientation), or racist nature; and the unwanted sexual advances or intimidations by email, or on discussion boards and other postings within or connected to the online classroom.
If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.