This course is the first segment of a two part (ADJ 211 and 212) series. This first part introduces you to the essentials of criminal law and the most significant legal issues in today's American criminal justice system. You will learn the legal definitions of crimes and criminals, as well as the complex ways in which police, courts, and corrections work together to apply the criminal law.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the history and purposes of criminal law
2. Know the basic structure and operation of the criminal justice system
3. Know the constitutional limitations on the criminal law
4. Classify crimes and name the basic elements of criminal responsibility
5. Identify and distinguish among the parties to a crime
6. Define all types of inchoate crimes
7. Know the major defenses to crimes
8. Understand the different types of criminal homicide and their elements
9. Understand other major crimes against persons and their elements
10. Know and distinguish between crimes against habitation and crimes against property
11. Identify and comprehend the various types of white collar crimes
12. Identify and comprehend the various types of crimes against the administration of justice
13. Know the components, criminal activities and differences among organized crime groups, gangs and terrorists

The required textbook for this course is:

• Criminal Law for the Criminal Justice Professional , Norman M. Garland , McGraw-Hill, 3rd Edition.

The recommended textbooks for this course are:

• The Dictionary of Criminal Justice ,George E. Rush, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, latest editon
• Criminal Law (An excellent outline of criminal law prepared primarily for sale to law students), Barcharts, Inc.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by 16 quizzes, 16 exercises, and 2 exams, according to the following points:

There are 2 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : jbeene@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 323-3250
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Annandale. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.