Criminal Court Systems –

cja373

(3 credits)

This course is an overview of American court history, including the development of state and federal courts. Court administration, the roles of professional and non-professional courtroom participants, and stages in the process are discussed.

This undergraduate-level course is 5 weeks. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Advisor.

Topics and Objectives

The Legal System
- Understand the basis for the law.
- Identify the rights of the accused.
- Differentiate between civil and criminal law.
- Discuss caseloads of federal courts.
- Discuss caseloads of state courts.
- Compare and contrast federal and state courts and their organizational structure.
Legal Professionals
- Discuss the inner workings of the courthouse and identify the people who work there.
- Discuss the problem of "delay" and its effects on the functions of the court.
- Define the role of the prosecutor.
- Compare and contrast state and federal prosecutions.
- Discuss the work-related functions of the prosecutor.
- Understand the role of the defense attorney.
- Understand the right to counsel and the obligations of defense counsel.
- Discuss the work-related functions of the defense attorney.
- Discuss the benefits and frustrations of the position of the judge.
- Discuss the work-related functions of the judge.
- Understand the rules and procedures available for criticism of judicial performance.
Defendants, Victims and Witnesses
- Understand the characteristics of defendants.
- Understand the court process through the eyes of victims and witnesses.
- Understand the characteristics of victims.
- Discuss the Victims' Rights Movement and programs to assist victims and witnesses.
Pre-trial Proceedings
- Discuss the effect of arrests on the court process.
- Understand the initial appearance and charging process.
- Compare and contrast the preliminary hearing and grand jury procedures.
- Understand the arraignment.
- Discuss theories of case attrition.
- Understand the process of bail setting.
- Discuss bail reform.
- Understand the rules regarding disclosure of evidence.
- Discuss the procedures contesting confessions, searches and seizures.
Dispositions
- Understand plea bargaining procedures.
- Discuss the abolition of plea bargaining.
- Discuss the constitutional right to trial by jury.
- Understand jury selection procedures.
- Identify and understand trial procedures.
- Understand theory underlying sentencing choices.
- Understand sentencing procedures.
- Discuss the procedures contesting confessions, searches, and seizures.
Appellate Courts
- Understand appellate court procedures.
- Compare and contrast appeals and post conviction reviews.
- Discuss the expansion and contraction of post-conviction remedies and procedures.
Lower Courts
- Identify scope and role of lower courts.
- Discuss problems of lower courts.
Juvenile Courts
- Compare and contrast juvenile and adult courts.
- Understand Juvenile Court jurisdiction.
- Identify Juvenile Courtroom Work Group.
- Understand Juvenile Court Procedure.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

Criminal Court Systems –

cja373

The Legal System

Legal Professionals

Defendants, Victims and Witnesses

Pre-trial Proceedings

Dispositions

Appellate Courts

Lower Courts

Juvenile Courts

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