SRJC Course Outlines

12/8/2024 7:51:27 PMAJ 54A Course Outline as of Summer 2017

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 54ATitle:  INTRO TO EVIDENCE  
Full Title:  Introduction to Evidence
Last Reviewed:12/13/2021

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total 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:  AJ 51

Catalog Description:
Untitled document
The study of the philosophical and legal basis of evidence.  The types will include: ways of presenting evidence, judicial decisions and statutory rules of evidence governing the admissibility of testimony, writings, and material objects at motions and trial, and constitutional and procedural considerations affecting searches, seizures, admissions and confessions.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
The study of the philosophical and legal basis of evidence.  The types will include: ways of presenting evidence, judicial decisions and statutory rules of evidence governing the admissibility of testimony, writings, and material objects at motions and trial, and constitutional and procedural considerations affecting searches, seizures, admissions and confessions.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
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:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: AJ 124 Legal Aspects of Evidence SRJC Equivalent Course(s): AJ61

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
Untitled document
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.  Describe the role of the rules of evidence.
2.  Apply the California Evidence Code to testimonial, documentary, real, and physical evidence during motions and trial.
3.  Analyze and apply the circumstances where evidence can be excluded for legal reasons.
4.  Apply a constitutional basis for evidence including discovery, right of confrontation, the collection and preservation of evidence, self- incrimination, admissions, and confessions.
5.  Apply the rules of search and seizure to people, houses, and personal property.
6.  Analyze the adversarial presentation and the examination of evidence.
7.  Compare the roles of the district attorney, defense counsel, and trier of fact in the process of the adversarial presentation and examination of evidence.
8.  Define and explain job-related legal terminology concerning the presentation of evidence.

Topics and Scope
Untitled document
I. Introduction to Evidence
   A. Definition
   B. Proof
   C. Burden of Proof
   D. Reasons for the rules of evidence
   E. Reasons why evidence could be excluded in court
   F. Purposes for offering evidence in court
   G. Tests for the admissibility of evidence
   H. Sources of evidence law
II. Types of Evidence
   A. Testimonial
         1. Lay witness
         2. Expert witness
         3. Subpoena
         4. Opinion evidence rule
   B. Documentary
         1. Authentication
         2. Best and secondary evidence
         3. Gruesome photographs
         4. Recording communications
   C. Real
         1. Authentication
         2. Chain of possession
         3. Duty to collect and preserve evidence
         4. Examples of material objects
   D. Demonstrative evidence
   E. Physical evidence
   F. Relevant evidence
   G. Admissions and confessions
   H. Hearsay rule
         1. Hearsay defined
         2. Admissions and confessions
         3. Dying declarations
         4. Spontaneous statements
         5. Business and official records
         6. Prior statements of witnesses and past recollection recorded
         7. Hearsay testimony of preliminary hearings
         8. Consciousness of guilt evidence
         9. Propensity evidence
III. Ways of Presenting Evidence
   A. Direct evidence
   B. Circumstantial evidence
   C. Presumption
   D. Inference
   E. Judicial notice
   F. Stipulation
   G. Discovery
IV. Witness Competency and Credibility
   A. Competency
   B. Presumption and burden of proof
   C. Tests for competency
   D. Credibility
   E. Impeachment
   F. Rehabilitation
V. Privileges and Privileged Communications
   A. Privileges in general
   B. Husband-wife testimonial privilege
   C. Husband-wife confidential communications privilege
   D. Attorney-client privilege
   E. Clergy-confessor privilege
   F. Doctor-patient privilege
   G. Newshield privilege
   H. Officer-informant privilege
   I. Privilege against self-incrimination
VI. Search and Seizure
   A. Search and seizure introduction
   B. 4th Amendment provisions
      1. Definitions
      2. Standing
   C. Exclusionary Rule
      1. Definition
      2. Purposes
   D. Plain View Doctrine
      1. Definition
      2. Components
   E. Scope of search
   F. Detentions and contacts
      1. Detention as a seizure
      2. Establishing reasonable suspicion to detain
      3. Contacts
   G. Frisk or pat-down search and plain touch
   H. Arrest search
      1. Person
      2. Dwelling
   I. Vehicle search
      1. Incident to arrest
      2. Probable cause
       3. Auto exception
      4. Impound and inventory
   J. Search warrant
      1. Defined
      2. Probable cause and affidavit
      3. Times of service
      4. Knock and notice
      5. Scope, fortuitous finds, and inventory
   K. Consent search
      1. Definition
      2. Knowingly and voluntarily
      3. Request-choice
      4. Admonition
      5. Express or implied waiver
      6. Constitutional considerations
      7. Authority and "no authority"
      8. Husband-wife rule and exceptions
      9. Cotenant rule and exception
      10.Parent-child rule and exceptions
   L. Emergency searches
      1. Doctrine of Necessity-Exigency
      2. Danger to life and limb
      3. Danger of serious property damage
      4. Escape of suspect
      5. Destruction of evidence
      6. Once emergency terminates
      7. Community care taking function
   M. Parole search
      1. Defined
      2. Cause needed to conduct
      3. Prior authorization not required
   N. Probation search
      1. Defined
      2. Cause needed to conduct
      3. Prior authorization not required
   O. Administrative searches based upon a compelling state interest
   P. Forcible seizure of evidence
      1. Prevent attempt to swallow evidence
      2. Stomach pumping and use of emetics
      3. Seizure of blood, fingerprints, and exemplar evidence
VII. Self-incrimination and Miranda
   A. When the Miranda Rule applies
      1. Adult
      2. Minor
   B. Custody and interrogation defined
   C. Admonition, waiver, assertion
      1. Admonition content
      2. Waiver done knowingly, intelligently
   D. Effect of silence assertion and exceptions
   E. Effect of counsel assertion and exceptions
   F. Constitutional violations
   G. Exceptions to Miranda
      1. Contacts
      2. Traffic stops
      3. Detentions
      4. Rescue Doctrine and Public Safety
      5. General on-scene questioning
      6. Voluntary interviews
      7. Phone calls

Assignments:
Untitled document
1. Reading 15-30 pages per week.
2. Written assignments consisting of analzing legal scenarios.  
3. Written assignments consisting of analzing case law research.
4. Completion of written chapter review assignments.
5. Two midterm examinations and a final examination.

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
10 - 30%
Legal scenario analysis, case law research, reading responses
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
15 - 30%
Legal analysis, complete course workbook
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
40 - 60%
Exams include multiple choice, true/false, matching items, short essay questions
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 0%
None


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
Untitled document
California Criminal Evidence Guide: A Handbook for the Criminal Justice Student, 9th ed. Hill, Raymond. Halleck Creek Publishing. 2010 (classic)
Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF