LGS3080 Criminal Law

Advanced · 1 credit · HRH - Health, Recreation, and Human Services

Description: Students examine the criminal justice system, including the criminal process and the roles and responsibilities of the participants. Students also explore challenging issues and law-related careers.
Prerequisite: None
Supporting courses: LGS1020: Public Law

Outcomes The student will:

1 review the evolution of the Canadian criminal justice system
2 describe the legal definition of a child, youth and adult
3 examine the criminal process
- 3.1 identify statutes setting out criminal and provincial quasi-criminal law; e.g., Criminal Code, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Traffic Safety Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act
- 3.2 describe the role of the provincial and federal Departments of Justice
- 3.3 identify the jurisdiction of the courts within Alberta
- 3.4 analyze the power and function of appeal courts and the role of the Supreme Court of Canada
- 3.5 identify the elements of a crime; e.g., actus reus, mens rea
- 3.6 differentiate between summary (including provincial), hybrid and indictable offences
- 3.7 outline the legal procedure for handling an indictable offence from the commission of the offence to the trial by:
  - 3.7.1 describing the powers of the police with respect to arrest, questioning, search and seizure, custody and release
  - 3.7.2 describing the rights of the arrested individual as outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; e.g., right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, right to be silent, right to be represented by counsel, right to confront your accuser, natural justice, habeas corpus
  - 3.7.3 explaining the purpose of a bail hearing
  - 3.7.4 explaining the purpose of a preliminary hearing
  - 3.7.5 describing the roles of the Crown and the defence counsel
  - 3.7.6 differentiating between trial by judge or trial by judge and jury
  - 3.7.7 describing how a jury is selected
  - 3.7.8 explaining the onus and burden of proof
  - 3.7.9 identifying and explaining issues related to evidence; e.g., hearsay, prior bad acts
  - 3.7.10 identifying and describing the various defences; e.g., self defence, not criminally responsible
4 examine consequences of criminal activity
- 4.1 identify alternatives to courts for dispute resolution (e.g., Youth Criminal Justice, Aboriginal Councils, Extrajudicial Sanctions, Adult Alternative Measures)
- 4.2 describe the various types of sentences
- 4.3 analyze the purpose and guidelines of sentencing
- 4.4 consider the mitigating and/or aggravating factors and their effects on sentencing
- 4.5 explain the roles of federal penitentiaries and provincial jails
- 4.6 differentiate between temporary absence program, parole and statutory release
- 4.7 describe the factors that determine the granting of conditional release
- 4.8 describe the role of the National Parole Board in federal and provincial paroles
- 4.9 describe the nature of after-care agencies; e.g., John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society
5 differentiate between how adults and youth are treated within the criminal justice system
- 5.1 examine why youth are treated differently than adults
- 5.2 identify the criminal legislation that applies to youth
- 5.3 recognize special considerations and alternatives to sentencing
6 consider the laws related to one or more of the following challenging issues and propose possible solutions: • prison reform • parole and mandatory supervision • plea bargaining • conditions for probation, including community service, restitution and treatment (do they work?) • victims of crime • criminal law reform • repeat offenders • capital punishment • wrongful convictions • legal aid in Alberta • organized crime in Canada • the role of the police • young offenders and the law
7 describe careers in the criminal justice system
8 demonstrate basic competencies
- 8.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
  - 8.1.1 communicate
  - 8.1.2 manage information
  - 8.1.3 use numbers
  - 8.1.4 think and solve problems
- 8.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
  - 8.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
  - 8.2.2 be responsible
  - 8.2.3 be adaptable
  - 8.2.4 learn continuously
  - 8.2.5 work safely
- 8.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
  - 8.3.1 work with others
  - 8.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
9 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
- 9.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
- 9.2 identify steps to achieve goals