5/10/2025 11:33:25 PM	AJ 22 Course Outline as of Spring 2006	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 22	Title:  CRIMINAL LAW CONCEPTS
Full Title:  Concepts of Criminal Law
Last Reviewed:2/24/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Historical development, philosophy of law and constitutional provisions; definitions, classification of crime and their application to the system of Administration of Justice; legal research, study of case law, methodology and concepts of law as a social force.  Law as it affects the correctional component of the justice system will be clearly identified.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Historical development, philosophy of law and Constitutional provisions; definitions and classifications of crime.  Concept of law as a social force.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: AJ 120	Concepts of Criminal Law	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): AJ22

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the three primary sources on which the law is

based, including the concept of a Social Contract, English

Common Law, and United States and California Constitutions.

2. Distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the

law.

3. Differentiate between a civil and criminal matter.

4. Distinguish between substantive law and procedural law.

5. Recall the statutory definition of a crime.

6. Classify list the possible punishments under the laws of

California.

7. Explain the concept of corpus delicti.

8. Recognize the basic elements common to all crimes.

9. Recognize and list the basic required elements of an attempt

to commit a crime.

10. Categorize the three classes of crimes as felony,

misdemeanor, and infraction and parties to a crime as they

relate to criminal codes.

11. Analyze the categories of persons considered legally

incapable of committing a crime.

12. Identify the defenses against criminal liability.

13. List the elements of Part I (crimes against persons) and Part

II (crimes against property) crimes.

Topics and Scope

I. Origins of the law

  A. Concept of the social contract

  B. English Common Law

  C. Development of a constitution

  D. Branches of government

  E. United States and California Constitution

II. Current law

  A. Constitutional law and the Bill of Rights

  B. Tenth Amendment provisions

  C. Statutory law

  D. Ex post facto

  E. Codes

  F. Ordinances

  G. Case law and Stare Decisis

  H. Judicial law

III. Distinctions in the law

  A. Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law

  B. Purpose of Criminal and Civil Law

  C. Interpretation of the law

  D. Criminal law (crimes)

  E. Civil law (non-criminal violations)

  F. Purpose of civil law

  G. Tort by omission

  H. Civil actions by crime victims

  I. Substantive law

  J. Procedural law

  K. Due process

IV. Criminal Law

  A. Definition of a crime

  B. Mala en se vs. mala prohibita

  C. Crimes without victims

  D. Punishment

  E. Persons liable for punishment

  F. Elements of a crime

     1. Basic elements to every crime

     2. Specific crime elements

  G. Attempt to commit a crime

     1. Specific attempted crimes in penal code

     2. Attempted crimes not covered in penal code

  H. Intent

     1. General intent

     2. Specific intent

     3. Transferred intent

  I. Criminal negligence

  J. Penal Code Section 15

  K. Persons liable for punishment

V. Criminal prosecution

  A. Classification of crimes

     1. Felony

     2. Misdemeanor

     3. Wobbler

     4. Infractions

  B. Principals

  C. Aiding and abetting

  D. Accessories

  E. Old accessory law

  F. Accomplices

  G. Feigned accomplice

VI. Persons legally incapable of committing a crime

  A. Children under the age of 14 years

  B. Lack of mental capacity

  C. Ignorance or mistake

  D. Unconscious act

  E. Misfortune or accident

  F. Defense of others

  G. Threat or menace

  H. Double jeopardy

VII. Defenses against criminal liability

  A. Insanity

  B. Statute of limitations

  C. Immunity against self-incrimination

  D. Diplomatic immunity

  E. Entrapment

  F. Justifiable use of force (self-defense)

  G. Temporary insanity

VIII. Sentencing

  A. Determinate

  B. Indeterminate

  C. Enhancements

  D. Three Strikes

  E. Special circumstances

IX Amendments

  A. First

  B. Second

  C. Fourth

  D. Fifth

  E. Sixth

  F. Eighth

  G. Tenth

  H. Fourteenth

X. Common Crimes

  A. Murder

  B. Involuntary Manslaughter

  C. Voluntary Manslaughter

  D. Vehicular Manslaughter

  E. Robbery

  F. Theft

  G. Grand Theft

  H. Aggravated Assault

  I. Assault with a deadly weapon

  J. Rape

  K. Mayhem

  L. Aggravated mayhem

  M. Spousal injury

  N. Carjacking

  O. Kidnapping

  P. Assault

  Q. Battery

XI. Crimes against/within penal institutions

  A. Control of contraband

  B. Assaults against staff

  C. Escapes/attempts

XII. Crimes by staff

  A. Assaults on inmates

  B. Introduction of contraband

  C. Undue familiarity/over familiarity

  D. Official acts

Assignments:

1.  Read 20-30 pages weekly from textbook

2.  Complete 6 quizzes, and 2 written examinations which

may include essay and problem solving.

3.  Research paper

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 35%
Term project.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 50 - 70%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Essay exam and problem-solving.
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 15%
Class participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Chamlin, Robert and Richard Evans, CRIMINAL LAW FOR PEACE OFFICERS,

  Prentice Hall, current edition.

Hunt, Donald D. and Devalis Rutledge, CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAW CONCEPTS,

  Burgess International Group, Edina, Minnesota, current edition.

Law Tech, California Criminal Law and Evidence, current edition.

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