Court Systems & Practices

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Class
CRIJ 1306

A study of the process of law and adjudication processes and procedures that guide the conduct of law enforcement officials.  This course provides a foundation of what is legal in the course of executing law enforcement duties.  Provide a basic understanding of the concepts of probable cause and reasonable suspicion, the Exclusionary Rule, rules for detaining citizens, searching and seizing items, basic Constitutional rights, purpose of court hearings, right to counsel, pretrial release, purpose of the grand jury, adjudication process and sentencing.

Course Learning Objectives

The student will accomplish the following competencies:
Identify and describe the various state and federal courts

  1. Describe the adjudication process
  2.  Demonstrate competency in knowledge of the Bill of Rights
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of rules of evidence
  4.  Demonstrate knowledge of sentencing philosophy and procedures
  5.  Compare and contrast the implementation of laws with the duties of law enforcement to protect and serve the communities.
     
Required Textbooks

America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System, 13th Edition, Neaubauer, Cengage Publications, ISBN: 9781337557894. (The course text is included in Day One Access (Vital Source/Cengage). 

ISBN-13
9781337557894
Evaluation Standards

Grading Scale:    

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

0-59   F

Course Progression
  1. The student will identify and describe the various federal and state courts:
    1.  Federal: U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts, and U.S. Magistrate
    2.  State: Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, District Court, County Court, Justice of the Peace Court, and Municipal Court
  2.  The student will describe the adjudication process:
    1.  Arraignment
    2.  Preliminary hearings
    3.  Grand Jury proceedings
    4.  Pre-trial motions
    5.  Trial
    6.  Sentencing
    7.  Appeals
  3.  The student will demonstrate competency in knowledge of the Bill of Rights:
    1. First Amendment
    2. Fourth Amendment
    3.  Fifth Amendment
    4.  Sixth Amendment
    5.  Eighth Amendment
    6.  Fourteenth Amendment
  4. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the rules of evidence:
    1. Competency of evidence
    2.  Materiality of evidence
    3. Relevancy of evidence
  5. The student will demonstrate knowledge of sentencing philosophy and procedures:
    1. Social vs. Individual Concerns
    2.  Pre-sentence investigations
    3. Disparity in sentencing
    4. Sentencing guidelines


 

Instructional Methods

Lectures, discussions, films, assignments, quizzes, case law research, guest lecturers

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
SCH Hours
3
Revised
Fall 2023