Teaches the elements of proof for major and common crimes and the legal classification of offenses. Studies the kinds, degrees, and admissibility of evidence and its presentation in criminial proceedings with emphasis on legal guidlines for methods and techniques of evidence acquisition. Surveys the procedural requirements from arrest to final disposition in the various American court systems with focus on the Virginia jurisdiction.

Prerequisites: None

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

1. Prepare for the identification of various types of evidence
2. Have a basic understanding of the rules of criminal procedure so that confessions, searches and seizures and other law enforcement activities will be performed in accordance with legal requirement
3. Become an effective witness in court

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least 1 of the 2 l exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 2 exams in this course.

Last Updated: January 12, 2012