Department of Social Science
Jackson Community College
Jackson, Michigan
SYLLABUS
CRJ 101.01
Criminal Law
Winter Semester 2014
Monday & Wednesday 11:00-12:27 p.m.
James McDivitt Hall, Room 115
Instructor: THOMAS G. FLEMING, J.D.
Office: JM 113
E-mail: tom_fleming@jccmi.edu
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"Thunder is Impressive, But
Lightning gets the work done."
Mark Twain
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will survey the development of Criminal Law from its historical foundings through
today’s State, Federal and Supreme Court decisions. The student will be familiarized with the
criminal process, known as Procedural Law, together with the commonly applied statutes, known
as Substantive Law. Emphasis will be placed on gaining an overview of criminal practice while
focusing on relevant sections of the Michigan Penal Code.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1.
To familiarize the student with the criminal process and selected sections of the Michigan
Penal Code.
2.
To examine the history of the criminal law.
3.
To examine the essential elements of crime.
4.
To examine the concepts of criminal liability and criminal responsibility.
5.
To analyze capital punishment concepts.
6.
To examine the limits of free speech and other constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
7.
To examine the role of the courts and the structure of the court system in Michigan.
REQUIRED TEXT
GARDNER, THOMAS J. AND ANDERSON, TERRY. “CRIMINAL LAW,”
11th Edition (2012)
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
This course will be based on the lecture format, however, class discussion is an essential part of
this course. There will also be in-class writing assignments. Students should feel free to ask
questions at any time. I will not simply trace the textbook. As college students you are expected
to have completed the required reading prior to class. Examinations will cover lecture
information, textbook material, handout material and video presentations.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY
Class attendance and participation is expected. You are responsible for all material covered in
class.
Students who are absent from three (3) or more classes will have one point deducted from their
final grade for each absence. For example: a student who averages a 77 and who is absent from
class three (3) times will receive a grade of 76. Students missing two or more night classes will
have one point deducted for each 1 1/2 hours of class missed. Students who have perfect
attendance will have one (1) point added to their final semester grade. Students who miss six (6)
or more classes may be withdrawn from the class by the instructor.
WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS
The last day to withdraw from classes is __________. You must initiate a withdrawal in person
at the main campus or one of the extension centers.
If the withdrawal from class is instructor-initiated, the student will be notified by letter by the
Registrars office after the withdrawal has been processed to allow an opportunity for the student
to appeal the withdrawal from class.
If the withdrawal from class is student-initiated, it is necessary for an advisor or counselor to
approve the schedule change. The student’s official date of withdrawal will be the date received
at the Registrars office. A student is not considered withdrawn from class until the withdrawal
form has been processed (add/drop form).
“I” (INCOMPLETE) GRADE
The incomplete grade is designed for students with extenuating circumstances to allow them to
complete the course requirements after the semester or session has ended. Students may receive
an “I” if, in the opinion of the instructor, their work is sufficient in quality, but is lacking in
quantity to meet the objectives specified in the course syllabus. The course objectives are to be
satisfactorily completed during the next full-length semester or within a shorter period of time as
determined to by the instructor. If the student does not complete the course within the
designated time period, the Registrar will replace the “I” grade with the earned grade as assigned
by the instructor.
The grade of “I” is not awarded to students who did not attend, or seldom attended, or to those
who simply are not pleased with their final grades. Students receiving an “I” submit only the
remaining work that had not been completed at the end of the semester. Students do not redo
work that had already been graded.
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
"Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with
Disabilities Act) should contact the Center for Student Success. This is the first step in acquiring
the appropriate accommodations to facilitate your learning."
TUTORS
“Tutors, both peer and on-line for writing classes (plus additional services for academic success)
can be accessed by calling 796-8415 or by stopping by the Center for Student Success, Bert
Walker Hall, Room 123.”
TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS
Six (6) examinations will be given covering the various sections in your textbook and lecture,
handout and video material. Each examination is worth 20 points. The examinations will be in
one or more of the following forms: True/False, Fill-in, Multiple-Choice, Matching, or Essay.
Your lowest exam score will be dropped in determination of your final grade. THE LAST
EXAM SCORE MAY NOT BE DROPPED!
MAKE-UP EXAMS will be permitted only for GOOD CAUSE SHOWN! This means you
must be able to show and document an emergency situation. ALL MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL
BE ESSAY TYPE and must be taken within five (5) days of the regularly scheduled
examination. Failure to appear at a regularly scheduled examination will result in a zero being
recorded as your grade for that exam.
GRADING SCALE
(EXAMINATIONS, ATTENDANCE AND CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
WILL ACCOUNT FOR 100% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE)
90 plus..........................4.0
85-89.............................3.5
80-84.............................3.0
75-79.............................2.5
70-74.............................2.0
65-69.............................1.5
60-64.............................1.0
55-59.............................0.5
Below 54.......................0.0
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PASSING GRADE POLICY
A 2.0 or “C” is a passing grade. Only courses with passing grades count toward graduation.
Other colleges transfer in only courses with passing grades. Many financial aid sources,
including most employers, require passing grades. Additionally, earning less than a 2.0 in a class
results in not being able to participate in the next level of courses in a discipline which requires
this course as a pre-requisite. If you attempt to register for the next course sequence and have
not passed the pre-requisite course, you will be dropped from that class.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE OUTCOMES (ADO’s)
This class will stress the following essential skills, knowledge and abilities expected of collegeeducated people.
Critical thinking in the identification of the essential
elements of crimes and (Corpus Delicti), determining
criminal liability and responsibility as well as
constitutional limitations.
ADO7
Critical Thinking
ADO9
Work Productively with others
Recognizing individual
contributions
to group success
Group discussions and problem solving utilizing
selected sections of the Michigan Penal Code.
OFFICE HOURS:(JM 113)
Monday:
Tuesday and Thursday:
Wednesday:
Friday:
10:00-11:00, 12:30-1:30, and 5:30-6:00
9:00-9:30 and 12:30-2:30
10:00-11:00, 12:30-1:30
By appointment
-OTHER HOURS BY APPOINTMENT-
CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, AND PAGERS must be shut off or put on low frequency so that
the class is not interrupted.
NO TEXTING IS PERMITTED DURING CLASS!
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Students will need to access e-Services to view their grades. Please follow the instructions
below:
Go to the JCC web page  http://www.jccmi.edu
Click on e-Services
Click on student tab  at top of page
Click on View transcript or Grades by Term  left side of the page
Enter login information  (first seven letters of student’s last name, first seven letters of
student’s first name, middle initial)
6. Click submit button
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
At this point, you will be able to view your grades for all completed semesters or only for the
semester selected. Grade reports will no longer be mailed.
REFUND OR “W” REMOVAL CRITERIA
1.
The following criteria must be met for exceptions to Jackson Community College’s refund
or “W” removal policy. Supporting 3rd party documentation (medical, employer, military)
must be attached.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Death of an immediate family member
Return to work/change in working hours
Call to active military duty
Medical
2.
A request for a “W” exception, refund or balance forgiven that meets the above criteria
must be before the last day to withdraw for full semester courses as indicated in each
semester’s course schedule book. For shorter length courses, it is the student’s
responsibility to check with the registrar’s office for the last date to withdraw.
3.
All requests must be submitted in writing, from the student, with the required supporting
3rd party documentation to:
Jackson Community College Tuition Review Committee
2111 Emmons Road
Jackson, MI 49201
4.
Academic issues such as grade disputes or issues with instructors should be directed to the
appropriate department chair and follow the Academic Complaint Procedure.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CLASS. GOOD LUCK!
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COURSE SCHEDULE
TITLE
DATE
January
13
Introduction to Criminal Law
15
Criminal Law Generally
20
Purposes, Scope and Sources
22
The Michigan Court System
27
Essential Elements of Crimes
29
Criminal Liability
TEXTBOOK/
CHAPTER
1-3
The Law Governing the Use of Force
February
3
TEST #1 (Chapters 1-3)
Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity
to Commit a Crime
5
The Law Governing the Use of Force
10
Other Criminal Defenses
12
Criminal Punishment
Criminal Jurisdiction
17
TEST #2 (Chapters 4-8)
The Limits of Free Speech
The Limits of Free Speech
19
Maintaining Public Order
4-8
9
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8
24
Limits of Other Freedoms
26
TEST #3 (Chapters 9)
DATE
March
3-9
10, 11, 13-15
TITLE
NO CLASSES – SPRING BREAK
10
Homicide
12
Homicide
17
Assault and Battery and Other Crimes
Against the Person
19
Theft, Robbery and Burglary
24
Shoplifting and Other Crimes
26
Fraud and Other Property Crimes
31
Fraud and Other Property Crimes
April
2
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TEST #4 (Chapters 10, 11 & 13-15)
9
TEXTBOOK/
CHAPTER
7
Rape and Related Sex Offenses
9
Rape and Related Sex Offenses
14
Prostitution and Related Crimes & AIDS
16
TEST #5 (Chapters 12)
Gangs, Organized Crime
21
Gangs, Organized Crime
23
Organized Crime and Gambling
The Crime of Contempt
28
Drug Abuse & Alcohol Related Crimes
30
TEST #6 (Chapters 16–19)
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16-19
10