CRIM 201 Introduction to Criminal Law
The study of substantive criminal law as applied to the local, state, and federal systems. Crimes as prosecuted in a court of law are examined. Court decisions are used to address various sources and types of criminal laws.
Hours Weekly
3 hours weekly
Course Objectives
- Define crime and understand the origins of criminal law.
- Distinguish the difference between a crime and a tort.
- Identify and understand the various stages in the criminal process.
- Identify the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th amendments.
- Compare and contrast procedural due process versus substantive due process.
- Distinguish between specific intent and general crimes.
- Identify and analyze the various inchoate criminal offenses.
- Identify and define common law crimes and their elements.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Maryland Criminal law and contemporary applications.
- Explain the burden of proof in criminal cases.
- Describe the defenses to criminal conduct.
- Understand and describe the stages of the administration of justice from arrest, booking, lineup,
preliminary hearing, grand jury, indictment, arraignment, and trial to sentencing. - Examine the development of common law offenses of perjury, embezzlement, compounding,
escape and contempt. - Describe and recognize defenses related to criminal responsibility.
- Identify and analyze constitutional limitations on "search and seizure" and related 4th, 5th, and 14th
amendment considerations. - Identify the exceptions to the warrant requirement.
- Define probable cause, arrest and reasonable force.
- Understand and describe the pretrial process, motions, discovery and plea bargaining.
- Recognize the right to trial, stages of trial and rules of evidence.
- Examine the roles of the police, prosecution, and defense attorneys.
- Identify the unique functions of juvenile courts and detention facilities.
- Compare and contrast the various forms of punishment available at sentencing.
- Discuss the differing views related to the death penalty.
- Understand the practical application of criminal law in everyday activities.
Course Objectives
- Define crime and understand the origins of criminal law.
- Distinguish the difference between a crime and a tort.
- Identify and understand the various stages in the criminal process.
- Identify the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th amendments.
- Compare and contrast procedural due process versus substantive due process.
- Distinguish between specific intent and general crimes.
- Identify and analyze the various inchoate criminal offenses.
- Identify and define common law crimes and their elements.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Maryland Criminal law and contemporary applications.
- Explain the burden of proof in criminal cases.
- Describe the defenses to criminal conduct.
- Understand and describe the stages of the administration of justice from arrest, booking, lineup,
preliminary hearing, grand jury, indictment, arraignment, and trial to sentencing. - Examine the development of common law offenses of perjury, embezzlement, compounding,
escape and contempt. - Describe and recognize defenses related to criminal responsibility.
- Identify and analyze constitutional limitations on "search and seizure" and related 4th, 5th, and 14th
amendment considerations. - Identify the exceptions to the warrant requirement.
- Define probable cause, arrest and reasonable force.
- Understand and describe the pretrial process, motions, discovery and plea bargaining.
- Recognize the right to trial, stages of trial and rules of evidence.
- Examine the roles of the police, prosecution, and defense attorneys.
- Identify the unique functions of juvenile courts and detention facilities.
- Compare and contrast the various forms of punishment available at sentencing.
- Discuss the differing views related to the death penalty.
- Understand the practical application of criminal law in everyday activities.