SYLLABUS
Course Number / Prefix: CJL-2130-68288 Crim Evid/Proc F 8:30AM to 5PM
in room YPST 228 from 08/17/07 to 10/26/07
Course Title: Criminal Evidence / Procedure 3 Credits
Term - Fall 2007
Instructor: Dr. Rex Curry
Telephone Number: 813 508-5019
Email Address(es)/Other Contact Information: lawyercurry@earthlink.net
Office Hours (Day, Time, Location): at your request immediately following
class or at your
convenience by appointment before class or at any other time.
If the instructor is not in the office at a designated time, students
should check the
classroom YPST 222, every other Friday (starting 8/17) at 8:30 AM to 5:00
PM.
Written messages can also be left at the front desk in Administration.
Class Schedule: YPST 222, every other Friday (from 8/17) at 8:30 AM to
5:00 PM.
Dates: (Every Other Friday) 08/17/07, 08/31/07, 09/14/07, 09/28/07, 10/12/07
and 10/26/07
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to criminal procedures
such as arrest, search and seizure, use of force and handling evidence.
Topics include
the legal use and degree of force, rights of suspects and arrested persons,
types of evidence, admissibility, proof and competence of evidence as related
to
criminal law and recent court decisions.
Course Objectives:
• Maintain good attendance and, during each class, each student must sign
a roster sheet
to memorialize attendance in class.
• Show competency and responsibility regarding all reading and writing
assignments.
There are 6 classes by the calendar and there are 18 chapters in book.
The list below divides the chapters by the classes. Even if a class
date does not meet,
students must read the corresponding chapters, complete the questions
in the back
of the chapters, and prepare to address those chapters at the next class
meeting.
Reading assignments are:
Class date followed by chapter number
08/17/07 1, 2, 3
08/31/07 4, 5, 6
09/14/07 7, 8, 9
09/28/07 10, 11, 12
10/12/07 13, 14, 15
10/26/07 16, 17, 18
• Demonstrate competency in class tests and quizzes. For each class meeting,
every student
should bring # 2 pencils and some scantron answer sheets (available in
the book store).
• be able to identify the components of the criminal justice system and
be conversant about each
respective responsibility.
• be able to discuss and outline the typical steps and procedures in courtroom
presentation
of scientific evidence.
• be able to evaluate the criminal justice system and list various problems
that may interfere with
the effective presentation of courtroom evidence and expert witnesses.
• To write clearly about criminal justice topics.
An audio recording of the instructor and the class presentation might
be made (although sometimes not).
Text Book and Materials:
The class textbook is "Criminal Evidence: Principles and Cases," 6th
Edition
Thomas J. Gardner © 2007 ISBN-10: 049500605X ISBN-13:
9780495006053
Gardner and Anderson cover the key rules of evidence and the applicability
of these
rules in criminal matters. The authors provide students with an understanding
of the
rationale behind these rules, and focus on making the rules accessible
to law enforcement
officers who must apply them on the job. This text includes many of the
features that have
popularized Gardner/Anderson's best-selling CRIMINAL LAW text, including
high-interest examples, boxes that focus in on key concepts, and case
excerpts.
It is intended to be comprehensive without being encyclopedic or overwhelming.
For each class meeting, every student should bring # 2 pencils and some
scantron answer sheets
(available in the book store).
Supplemental: Paperback dictionary & a 2-pocket folder for writing
assignments
Hillsborough Community College also provides additional support for students
through its
SUCCESS CENTER (A Writing Center and Tutoring Service) - Walk in or call
for an
appointment.
Request for Accommodations: If, to participate in this course, you require
an accommodation
due to a physical or learning impairment, you must contact the Office
of Services to Students
with Disabilities. The office is located in the College. You may also
reach the office by
telephone at extension 7914 (BR), 7757 (YB), or 2209 (PC).
Grading System: grades will be based on the following scale: A=Excellent,
B=Good,
C=Average, D=Below Average, F=Failing
Writing might be assigned sometimes. Unless specifically designated,
it will
not all be individually graded. They will be spot graded as necessary.
For each chapter
as assigned above corresponding to the class schedule, if true/false and
multiple choice
type exercises are not at the end of any chapter or provided by the instructor,
then each student will write at least one-half of a page explaining a topic
for each chapter,
selected from that chapter. Writing assignments will be turned in at the
start of each class.
The student will select the topic from each chapter. In order to maintain
a useful mix of
topics for class discussions the following criteria should be followed.
Students who sit
near the front of the class will write on topics near from the front pages
of each chapter
in the book. Students who sit in the back of the class will write on topics
selected from
the back pages of each chapter of the book. Students who sit in the middle
of the class
will write on topics selected from the middle pages of each chapter of the
book.
(All hand written assignments should be written on 8 ½" by 11"
paper).
In-class writing will also be used for in-class discussions and group
workshops and in-class
group evaluations.
80% of the final grade will be based on the bi-weekly assignments.
20% of the final grade will be class participation.
Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors including
affective and
attitudinal qualities such as: professional demeanor, positive contribution
to class, respect for
others, and interpersonal skills consistent with personal accountability.
Tardiness negatively impacts the class participation evaluation.
Some conferences will occur during class. At other times, in-office conferences
will be
required during scheduled office hours.
Depending on the progress of the class during the term,and whether there
is class participation
there might be quizzes, a mid-term or a final (for which prior notice
will be given if they will
be counted toward the final grade).
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism of written work is prohibited in
any form. Any
infraction will result in the student receiving a grade of F for the work
(without option of
rewrite) and may result in the initiation of Hillsborough Community College
disciplinary
procedures. All further writings for a grade will be written in the Test
Center under supervision.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to participate in every class
meeting. Three
nonparticipation days are allowed without penalty. Thereafter the instructor
will drop the
student’s highest essay grade one letter grade for each day of nonparticipation.
(An extra 250-
word essay on a point of criminal justice may be substituted in lieu of
dropping of student’s
highest essay grade for an absence.)
Class begins at the scheduled time. Prompt and consistent attendance is
required. Each
student is allowed two absences, the equivalent of one week’s class time,
without penalty.
Beginning at the third absence, five (5) points per occurrence are deducted
from the final grade,
based on the 100 point grade scale. Two tardies count as one absence,
and early departures of ten
minutes or more are counted as tardies. Each student is responsible for
the timely completion of
all assignments.
If someone is on a cell phone, then he is not in class. Ringing cell phones
and pagers,
and cell phone conversations are unacceptable in the classroom. If you
do not have a vibrate
option on your phone or pager, then you must turn it off prior to entering
the classroom. ALL
CELL PHONES MUST BE STORED IN YOUR BAG OR PURSE DURING CLASS TIME.
Ringing phones and pagers, and cell phone conversations disrupt the lecture
and class activity;
therefore, failure to adhere to these rules will result in your being
asked to leave class and
receive an absence for that day.
Each student must make an appointment to see the instructor before the
mid-term exam
and again after the midterm and before the final exam. The purpose of
the meeting is to
personally review and discuss each student's work and avenues for greater
improvement. Each
student can fulfill the appointments by remaining after class on any days
that are convenient for
the student.
If for some reason the instructor is not providing specific instruction
to the entire class, then
each student is required to write about criminal justice topics from the
textbook or
elsewhere (during all remaining class time). If a topic is completed,
then each
student should select another topic and continue writing.
The class philosophy in the preceding paragraph illustrates the goal that
if the instructor is not
providing specific instruction to the entire class, then each student
is required to read and write
regarding textbook topics (during all remaining class time).
Instructional Methods:
I. Course Competencies and Course Objectives
A. The student shall demonstrate continued competency of the following
writing skills learned:
1. Organization
a. Selecting a topic which lends itself to expository writing about criminal
justice.
b. Determining the purpose of the chosen topic and the article to be written.
c. Limiting the subject to a topic which can be developed adequately within
the requirements of
time, purpose and audience
d. Formulating a thesis statement which reflects the purpose
e. Developing the thesis statement in the following ways:
1) Providing adequate support which reflects the ability to distinguish
between generalized and concrete evidence.
2) Arranging the main ideas and supporting details in an organizational
pattern appropriate to the expository purpose.
3) Writing unified prose in which all supporting material is relevant
to the
thesis statement.
4) Writing coherent prose, providing effective transitional devices which
clearly reflect the organization and relationship of the parts.
5) Consistent point of view.
6) Proofreading and revision
B. The student will write well-organized compositions which demonstrate
knowledge of the
techniques necessary for writing an expository paper. The compositions
will be persuasive or
evaluative.
DO NOT CITE WIKIPEDIA - Schools, colleges, and news media warn
writers
not to cite wikipedia as a source. A google search for "DON'T CITE
WIKIPEDIA"
provides many examples. Rather than a scholarly source, wikipedia is an
anonymous
bulletin board where anyone can delete or post anything.
End
