CRIJ 275 Criminal Evidence Law
This course presents the law and rules of evidence, burden of proof, exclusionary rule, presumption, opinion evidence, and leading court cases involving the presentation and acceptability of evidence. Witness examination procedures and related legal problems are presented.
CRIJ 275Criminal Evidence Law
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Social Science
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
48
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This course presents the law and rules of evidence, burden of proof, exclusionary rule, presumption, opinion evidence, and leading court cases involving the presentation and acceptability of evidence. Witness examination procedures and related legal problems are presented.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Analyze the role of evidence in the court adjudication process.
- Examine the concepts of relevant, material, and competent evidence.
- Distinguish and examine circumstantial and direct evidence.
- Analyze the purposes and history of the hearsay rule.
- Define hearsay and explain the application of the rule to evidence.
- Identify and explain the exceptions to the hearsay rule.
- Define impeachment and analyze the impeachment process as it relates to excluded evidence.
- Analyze the effect of character and reputation evidence on the adjudication process.
- Examine and discuss the rationale for privileged communications.
- Analyze and describe the role of the judge and jury in evaluating evidence.
- Examine and evaluate the role and qualification of expert witnesses.
- Define and analyze the exclusionary rule and the rules impact on the admissibility of evidence.
- Identify and explain the exceptions to the exclusionary rule.
- Distinguish and analyze real and demonstrative evidence.
- Analyze and apply the law governing identification evidence.
- Discuss the problems associated with the handling of physical and trace evidence in the adjudication process.
- Define scientific evidence and discuss the law regarding the admissibility of scientific evidence.
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
History and Development of the Law of Criminal Evidence
Important Aspects of the American Criminal Justice System
Using Evidence to Determine Guilt or Innocence
Direct and Circumstantial Evidence and the Use of Inferences
Witnesses and the Testimony of Witnesses
Judicial Notice, Privileges of Witnesses, and Shield Laws
The Use of Hearsay in the Courtroom
The Confrontation Clause and Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule
The Exclusionary Rule
Where the Exclusionary Rule Does Not Apply
"Special Needs" and Administrative Searchers
Obtaining Statements and Confessions for Use as Evidence
The Law Governing Identification Evidence
Obtaining Physical and Other Evidence
Obtaining Evidence by Use of Search Warrants, from Computers, Wiretapping, or Dogs Trained to Indicate an Alert
The Crime Scene, the Chain of Custody Requirement, and the Use of Fingerprint and Trace Evidence
Videotapes, Photographs, Documents, and Writings as Evidence
Scientific Evidence
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Participation in classroom discussion and activity
Chapter readings and written summaries of main topics
Required Exams
Chapter Quizzes
Unit Exams
Required Text
Criminal Evidence Principles and Cases, By Thomas Gardner and Terry Anderson (9th Edition, Cengage Learning)
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Participation in classroom discussion and activity
Chapter readings and written summaries of main topics
Chapter Quizzes
Unit Exams