CRIMINAL LAW

SECTION 1 - COLQUITT

FALL, 2002

Course Syllabus - Part One

ASSIGNMENTS: This syllabus informs you of the topics we will cover during the semester as well as provides you with your reading assignments. You should be able to access the syllabus either by personal computer or through the Law Library’s computer lab.

Normally, all assignments for this course will be contained in the course syllabus. If any new cases or materials are added, this information will be provided during class and by postings on the website.

All assignments in this handout and in the syllabus refer either to our casebook or to the required materials contained on-line at the course website. For example, T 1-20 is a reference to pages 1 through 20 of the required casebook, BONNIE, COUGHLIN, JEFFRIES & LOW, CRIMINAL LAW (1997). Similarly, T A-11 refers to page 11 of Appendix A of the casebook.

As part of your participation in this course, you should read every assignment before class. Simply look under any “Session” and you will see listed the reading assignment(s) for that session of class. We probably will proceed through the course in the order established by the syllabus. Any changes will be posted on the website and announced in class.

BACKGROUND READING: Background reading assignments usually will not be discussed in class. They are, however, important to your understanding of the material that will be discussed. If time permits, we may cover any difficult subjects contained in the background materials.

OBJECTIVES: At the beginning of each major topic area, this syllabus states certain objectives. The objectives are for illustration only. Certainly, they are not all-inclusive. You should add appropriate objectives as you study the materials for this course.

LINKS: Underlined listings in blue font are "links." Simply "click" on any link with your left mouse button and the listed material will appear on your computer screen. You then have three options: Read the material on-line, save it to disk, or print it.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

OBJECTIVE: To examine the court systems and the processing of criminal cases.

"THOUGHT STIMULATOR":

"We must recognize that agencies of criminal justice are part of a system, that each jurisdiction is dependent on others, and that all must function effectively or none will." RAMSEY CLARK, CRIME IN AMERICA 131 (1970).

BACKGROUND READING: The following materials should be read as soon as feasible. They provide valuable basic information about the criminal law, criminal procedure and the criminal justice system. Although we will not discuss these materials in class, the information will prove most helpful to your understanding of the materials we will discuss.