Main Content
Syllabus
CRIMJ 420 Criminal Law and Procedure (3) Common law and statutory crimes; constitutional rights of accused persons, liability of criminal justice professionals
Overview
Welcome to Criminal Justice 420, Criminal Law and Procedure. In this course, we will delve deeply into several topics that were touched upon in your prior course work, and we will expand our knowledge of both substantive law and the procedural elements of the criminal law. This course covers the following topics: the history and development of American criminal law; modern criminal law; the elements of crime; defenses to criminal allegations; homicide and other crimes against the person; property crimes; cyber crime; terrorism; vice crimes; conspiracy; searches of persons; searches of places; searches of things; interrogation; evidence development; trial; appeal; and collateral proceedings.
By the end of this course, you will understand how criminal laws are created and identify all critical elements of valid criminal law; dissect a criminal statute; explain all elements necessary to establish crimes; debate critical questions about terrorism and “victimless” crimes; explain the similarities and differences in procedures before, during, and after an arrest; describe the legal limitations on searches of persons, places, and things; explain the parameters of legal interrogations; understand the roles of the exclusionary rule and the confrontation clause in the justice system; explain trial, appellate, and collateral proceedings from the perspectives of all stakeholders; and engage in informed discussions about current events in criminal law and procedure.
Course Objectives
- Understand how criminal laws are created and identify all critical elements of valid criminal law.
- Dissect a criminal statute.
- Explain all elements necessary to establish crimes.
- Debate critical questions about terrorism and “victimless” crimes.
- Explain the similarities and differences in procedures before, during, and after an arrest.
- Describe the legal limitations on searches of persons, places, and things.
- Explain the parameters of legal interrogations
- Understand the roles of the exclusionary rule and the confrontation clause in the justice system.
- Explain trial, appellate, and collateral proceedings from the perspectives of all stakeholders.
- Engage in informed discussions about current events in criminal law and procedure.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.- E-Reserve and Internet-based materials in Syllabus
- Electronic Copy of PA Code
- Subscription to www.scotusblog.com
- Materials identified in consultation with professor
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Assignments for this course fall into four categories: quizzes, thought provoking exercises, writing assignments, and exams.
- Weekly Thought Provoking Exercises: 25%
- Quizzes: 15%
- Writing Assignments: 20%
- Midterm Exam: 20%
- Final Exam: 20%
I. Quizzes
There will be a weekly online, non-proctored quizzes. You will have a limited amount of time to complete each quiz (20 minutes to complete 15 questions) and will be given two attempts to complete each quiz. Your highest score of the two attempts will be recorded. Your lowest grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Each quiz is worth 20 points, with the average composing 15% of your overall grade.
II. Thought Provoking Exercises (TPE)
You will participate in a weekly Thought Provoking Exercise by posting in a discussion forum. Some of these lessons will include an addtional discussion posting. Please follow the weekly instructions for the specific requirements for each posting. Engage in each discussion during the week required as listed in the course schedule. Your lowest grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Each discussion forum is worth 20 possible points, with the average composing 25% of your overall grade. Unless noted otherwise within a lesson, each thought provoking exercise requires 3 responses: your initial post and responses to 2 of your classmates' posts.
III. Writing Assignments
During several lessons, you will engage in writing exercises. Please follow the instructions for the specific requirements for submitting each assignment. Each writing assignment is worth 20 possible points, with the average composing 20% of your overall grade.
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Lesson 3 TPE
- Lesson 5 Writing Assignment
- Lesson 7 TPE
IV. Exams
There will be two online, non-proctored exams during the semester: a midterm exam and final exam. They are noncumulative; in other words, the midterm exam covers the materials from the first half of the semester, and the final exam covers the materials from the second half of the semester. You will have a limited amount of time to complete the exams. You will be given only one attempt at completing them. The total possible points for each exam will be 50. Make-up exams will require students to take an exam online by making a specific appointment with the professor. Make-up exams may be structured according to the professor's prerogative and only with a reasonable explanation. Please pay close attention to deadlines in the Syllabus. Missing an exam for failure to read the Syllabus is not a reasonable explanation. Each exam is worth 50 possible points, with both exams composing 40% of your overall grade.
Extra Credit Opportunity
Throughout the semester, your instructor will notify you about extra credit opportunities.
Grading Scale
| Grade | Percentage |
| A | 94% to 100% |
| A- | 90% to 93.9% |
| B+ | 87% to 89.9% |
| B | 84% to 86.9% |
| B- | 80% to 83.9% |
| C+ | 77% to 79.9% |
| C | 70% to 76.9% |
| D | 60% to 69.9% |
| F | 0% to 59.9% |
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Please note that the assignments for each week are due at 11:59pm on Sunday.
- Course length: 16 weeks
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.