Introduction to Criminal Law

Criminal law is one of the most fascinating areas of legal practice. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at criminal law by examining the world of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the paralegals who work closely with them.

You will examine all major areas of crime: from theft to murder, conspiracy to sexual assault. The trial of a criminal case will be dissected and explained for you. You'll also explore the various types of criminal defenses, sentencing, and appeals procedures. A variety of exercises based on the lessons will give you a hands-on experience. Each lesson will also feature A View from the Inside, which includes compelling information about the criminal justice system in the words of actual people who experience it every day.

What you will learn

• Examine all major areas of crime: from theft to murder, conspiracy to sexual assault
• Fully understand the trial of a criminal case will be dissected and explained for you
• Explore the various types of criminal defenses, sentencing, and appeals procedures
• Gain experience with hands-on criminal justice exercises

How you will benefit

• Gain knowledge of common legal issues and terms and become more confident discussing legal matters
• Get a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and how it works to determine whether or not you'd like to pursue a career

Outline

Introduction to Criminal Law

This lesson will lay the foundation for the course by examining the basic features of criminal law, including how this area of law differs from every other. You'll find this first look at the important aspects of the American criminal justice system very valuable!

Murder by Degrees

In this lesson, you'll begin to examine crimes against people by reviewing the facts of a real murder case. Here's your chance to visit a real crime scene and examine the body just as it was found on a chilly January morning. From there, you'll examine the basic elements of a murder case, as well as other crimes against people.

More Crimes Against Persons

In this lesson, you'll continue your examination into crimes against people by exploring the world of assault and battery. You'll also take a close look at some of the most common myths people believe about prosecuting crimes of violence. Then, the lesson will address the crimes of stalking and kidnapping.

Principals, Accessories, and Attempt

How is a person accused of helping another person commit a crime sentenced? Does the driver of the getaway car receive the same sentence as the bank robber? What is a conspiracy? This lesson will answer those questions and many others. You'll examine the roles of principles and accessories, and how prosecutors charge gang members and others who conspire to commit a crime.

Sex Crimes

What is rape? This lesson will go behind the legal definition to use plain language to define exactly what the elements of rape are, and then you'll look at how prosecutors charge sexual offenders. You'll also examine child molestation and the impact that these crimes have on their victims.

Crimes Against Property

In this lesson, you'll explore the crimes of burglary and fraud. You'll learn not only how a person commits burglary, but also the most common techniques most burglars use. The lesson will also expose white-collar crime schemes, common games, and other frauds.

Drug Crimes

Drug dealers have become very sophisticated over the years. In this lesson, you'll learn how prosecutors and police investigate, charge, and convict people who sell narcotics. You'll then examine, in detail, the concepts of possession of illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, crack cocaine, and other illegal substances.

Crimes Against Justice

What is the legal definition of bribery? In this era of corporate scandals and obstruction of justice by millionaire businesspeople, you'll need to know the basic steps to follow to bring a bribery or obstruction of justice charge.

The Trial

It's time to step inside a real courtroom! In this lesson, you'll go beyond what television presents and see how a real trial proceeds from start to finish. Do trial attorneys really scream at witnesses? Can lawyers really get away with some of the tactics you see them using on nightly television? This lesson will answer those questions and many others.

Defenses

When a person is on trial, what types of defenses can they raise? What exactly is an alibi defense? What is the definition of legal insanity? How does a defendant actually present their defense? In this lesson, you'll examine the role of different defenses, and then the lesson will dispel some common myths about criminal defenses.

Insanity and Constitutional Defenses

From mothers who drown their own children to men who attempt to kill the president, the insanity defense has had a long and controversial history in the United States. In this lesson, you'll step behind the headlines and examine the real details—not only about how to raise an insanity defense, but also looking at what the statistics have to say about the success of this defense.

Sentencing and Appeal

The course will conclude with a look at the appeals process. How many convictions are reversed on appeal? Is the appellate process different in death penalty cases? In this last lesson, you'll examine the entire appellate process from start to finish with a straightforward guide on criminal appeals.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.