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Berkeley Global
As a paralegal, learn how to assist a criminal attorney in all phases of work by introducing substantive and procedural criminal law. Learn about such topics as the purposes and goals of the criminal justice system, as well as identifying the elements of and defenses to criminal charges.
Prerequisites:
Essential Paralegal Studies Part I: Foundational Skills LAW X418 and Essential Paralegal Studies Part II: Authority, Research and Writing LAW X419, or equivalent
Course Outline
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Course Objectives
- Understand the rationale of criminal laws and the purpose of criminal punishment
- Understand the various levels of criminal intent
- Be familiar with the elements the prosecution needs to prove and the standard of proofs that apply at various stages of the criminal justice process
- Be familiar with the various theories of defense that apply to various types of crimes
- Understand the role the United States Constitution plays in the criminal justice system
- Understand the role of the paralegal throughout the system
What You Learn
- Principals, accessories, co-conspirators, attempt
- Accessory after-the-fact
- Crimes against the person
- Crimes against property
- Crimes against public order, morality and health
- The role of the police
- Arrest and detention
- Citizens' rights
- Probable Cause
- Exculpatory evidence
- 4th Amendment
- 5th Amendment
- 6th Amendment
- 7th Amendment
- 8th Amendment
- 14th Amendment
- Role of the prosecutor
- Role of the defense attorney
- Role of the trial judge
- Role of the jury
- Role of the Appellate Court
How You Learn
- Textbook assignments
- Examples of briefs
- PowerPoint presentations
- Internet-based educational support that includes lecture notes, analysis, review and mock exams
Is This Course Right for Me?
This class is for those interested in becoming paralegals, or for anyone who needs to understand the fundamentals of tort law.
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Spring 2025 enrollment opens on October 21!