PLW 3230 (LUOA), PLST 230 (LUO): Criminal Practice and Procedures

01/03/2020 to 06/11/2020 • Modified 07/30/2026

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Course Description

This course will introduce the general principles, sources, and purpose of criminal law, including the following doctrinal issues that apply to crimes in general: the act requirement, the mens rea requirement, causation, liability for attempted crimes, accomplice liability, defenses, and criminal code interpretation. The course will also introduce the limitations imposed on law enforcement activities by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution as applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The course generally considers the criminal justice process from investigation through arrest and initial court appearance.

Next Start Date*

October 26, 2026

LUOA Equivalent Course*

  • PLW 3230: Criminal Practice and Procedures, 3 LUO credits.

Program Restrictions*

  • DPL: Part Time Student (SPCA-DPL-D) Excluded

Prerequisite Requirements*

All of the following:

  • PLW 3200 previously completed with a minimum grade of D
       and
  • PLW 325 previously completed with a minimum grade of D

High School Diploma Requirements*

  • Contributes .5 credits to LUOA – Fine Art/Career/Tech Ed, Fine Art/Career/Technical Ed Requirement.

Rationale

For anyone who desires to work in the paralegal field, knowledge of criminal law and procedure is vital. Whether the goal is to work for a prosecutor or a criminal defense firm, the student must understand the principles of criminal law and procedure, including Constitutional guarantees. Likewise, each student seeking to enter this field must gain the necessary skills required in a law office, including law office management, client interaction, and preparation of memos, briefs, and other documents.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in four Discussions. The student will post his or her original thread of 300 words or more. The student must reply to at least two peers’ threads in 150 words or more.

Elements of Crime Assignment

The student will be given a factual scenario and a criminal law statute. The student will break the criminal law statute into distinct elements and apply the criminal law statute to the factual scenario.

Criminal Law Memorandum of Law Assignment

The student will complete a memorandum of law based on the provided scenario. The memorandum of law will provide objective analysis of the scenario.

Quizzes (8)

The student will take eight quizzes over the textbook readings throughout the term. Each will contain 25 T/F and Multiple Choice and two essay questions. They will be open-book/open-notes, and the student will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the quiz.

*Course specifics are tentative and subject to change each year. For the most current information, please refer to the Course Registration Tool.

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