Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice program provides a comprehensive understanding of the American justice system and its occupations. This program contains many topics regarding traditional justice issues such as: effective policing, courts, causes of crime, prisons, sentencing, probation, as well as the types of crime. Legal standards and current events are used to explain ethical conduct, the usage of various criminal policing tools, and the challenges of balancing security against liberty. Learners study: the prevalence of DNA technology & electronic surveillance, U.S. citizens’ constitutional protections, non-traditional occupations, and Social Media Career Tips. Participants determine where their skills and interest are best suited for acquiring professional job satisfaction and career success. With 24-hour access to course materials, many innovative tools encourage active learning. Videos, miniessays, and short lesson tests further knowledge. Class Discussions keep learners connected and participatory. Freedom of choice among some course-work allow students to focus upon their areas of interest. Each student is easily able to monitor their course completion status. By the end of the course, many of the assignments and discussions become resourceful tools for local employment searching, protections against cybercrime and blatant professional misconduct avoidance.
Program Objectives
- Discuss the basics of criminal law from arrest to parole
- Identify major causes of crime and local crime issues
- Locate Supreme Court opinions to identify legal issues
- Identify and explain U.S. Constitutional rights
- Deconstruct acts of domestic terrorism
- Formulate elements of a crime from statutes
- Define and measure crime using official reference tools
- Describe law enforcement rules and effective strategies
- Describe the trial process, the purpose of each stage, and the role of judges
- Explain various punishments and sentences for crimes
- Define probation, community corrections, and parole
- Describe conditions and purposes of prisons and jails
- Discuss various Criminal Justice career opportunities
- Identify use of force rules and anti-crime technologies
- Construct an effective search warrant statement
- Interpret ethical issues in policing and corrections
- Consider the impact of crimes on victims
Professor
Julie Beadle graduated from the University of Akron School of Law summa cum laude and has been employed with the Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals in Trumbull County as a judicial attorney for eight years. She enjoys performing research on a variety of difficult legal problems with a special interest in the criminal justice system and criminal law. Julie Beadle has also taught online paralegal courses in many subjects and finds the experience of interacting with students and learning from them to be very rewarding! As a life-long resident of Ohio, she likes to watch all Cleveland sports teams and attend Cleveland Indians games. She also spends time caring for her cats, all of which have been rescued.
Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation
All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu
Books and Resources
Gaines, Larry K. & Miller, Roger LeRoy. Criminal Justice in Action11e. Boston: Cengage 2021.
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 300 Points
- Tests - Total of 300 Points
- Forums-Total of 160 Points
- Midterm and Final Writing Projects - 150 Points
- Final Exam - 50 Points
Grading Scale
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 960. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 960.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
D = (60% - 69%)
F < (Below 60%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
Original Posting ____/10 |
Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate grammar and spelling |
Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors |
Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely |
No Assignment |
|
Total Points ____/10 |
Additional Comments: |
Discussion Question Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent Pass |
Good Pass |
Poor Fail |
No Response Fail |
|
Original Posting PASS/FAIL |
Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Reply to fellow student PASS/FAIL |
Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Total Points PASS/FAIL |
Additional Comments: |
Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism
Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.
I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.
Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.
The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.
Disability Accommodations
Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.
Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu
Supplemental Texts
You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation.
American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf
The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Library
Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University
She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730
You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020
She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.
Support
Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.
Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu
Career Services
Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu
Objectives
- Discuss the basics of criminal law from arrest to parole
- Identify major causes of crime and local crime issues
- Locate Supreme Court opinions to identify legal issues
- Identify and explain U.S. Constitutional rights
- Deconstruct acts of domestic terrorism
- Formulate elements of a crime from statutes
- Define and measure crime using official reference tools
- Describe law enforcement rules and effective strategies
- Describe the trial process, the purpose of each stage, and the role of judges
- Explain various punishments and sentences for crimes
- Define probation, community corrections, and parole
- Describe conditions and purposes of prisons and jails
- Discuss various Criminal Justice career opportunities
- Identify use of force rules and anti-crime technologies
- Construct an effective search warrant statement
- Interpret ethical issues in policing and corrections
- Consider the impact of crimes on victims
Lessons
- This lesson defines crime and the purpose and structure of the criminal justice system’s three major institutions: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The discretion exercised by prosecutors, ethics in the criminal justice system, and current trends are also considered.
Read Chapter 1
Review Chapter 1 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Gun Violence Test #1
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson outlines why crime occurs by examining various scientific theories that incorporate biological, psychological, and economic factors. Also included is the link between drugs, the role of family, friends, and media in the social processes of crime.
Read Chapter 2
Review Chapter 2 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts
Assignment – Marijuana & Criminal Theories Test #2
Lesson Evaluation
- The classifications of crimes into categories such as criminal and civil law and felonies or misdemeanors is covered. Discussion of how crime is measured using tools like the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, is included. This lesson begins discussing victims of crime and national crime trends with added content concerning women, race & poverty.
Read Chapter 3
Review Chapter 3 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Crime Statistics Test #3
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson offers instruction on the origins and development of American Criminal Law. It addresses constitutional law, statutory law, and the elements of a crime and defenses thereto.
Read Chapter 4
Review Chapter 4 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – The Elements of a Crime Test #4
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson is an introduction to U.S. law enforcement today, describing many local, state, & federal law agencies. The discussion includes: their responsibilities, career-related information, recruitment and training, and employment of women and minorities.
Read Chapter 5
Review Chapter 5 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Careers in Policing Test# 5
Lesson Evaluation
- The role of discretion, ethics, and misconduct in modern policing is studied. Special examination of police organizations and structure, subculture, strategies and stresses occurs. Authority and the use of force, racial and ethnic biases, and police accountability complete the topics covered in this lesson.
Read Chapter 6
Review Chapter 6 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Policing Strategies Test #6
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson focuses on the police and the Constitution to emphasize the rules of law enforcement. The Fourth Amendment, lawful searches and seizures, stops and frisks, arrests, the interrogation process, and Miranda are examined for learners to understand the boundaries between privacy and security impacting ethical police work.
Read Chapter 7
Review Chapter 7 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment –Search Warrant Affidavit Test #7
Lesson Evaluation
- Functions of the Courts and the principles of the American Judicial System are examined in this lesson with differentiation of state court systems from federal court systems.
- Attention to judges and others in the courtroom is given for learners to gain knowledge of the various roles and responsibilities of courtroom professionals.
Read Chapter 8
Review Chapter 8 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – High Court Judges and Decisions
Complete Midterm Writing Project Test #8
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will teach pre-trial procedures in the American adversarial system with special examination of the role of prosecutors and defense attorneys in the trial process. This includes study of detention, bail, probable cause, grand juries, and plea bargaining.
Read Chapter 9
Review Chapter 9 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Summary of Pretrial Procedures
Test #9
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson studies the criminal trial. Speedy trial rules, the role of the jury and its selection (including race and gender), trial phases, and post conviction procedures will be studied (including wrongful convictions) so students may answer for themselves whether criminal trials in the U.S. are fair.
Read Chapter 10
Review Chapter 10 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – O.J. Simpson Trials Test #10
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will identify various punishment options for those convicted of crimes and theoretical justifications for them. The purpose and structure of sentencing, disparity and discrimination of same, along with topics from the death penalty to mandatory sentencing become the focus of examining punishment in the policy context.
Read Chapters 11
Review Chapter 11 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – The Death Penalty Test #11
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson explores alternatives to jail and other forms of sanctions, including community corrections, probation, and parole.
Read Chapter 12
Review Chapter 12 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Police, Corrections, & Probation Officers
Test #12
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will focus on prisons and jails and study overcrowding, private prisons, mentally ill inmates, and ethical issues of these topics. Prison organization and management structures vary and are examined along with inmate population trends to provide learners with more details of the American Criminal Justice System’s evolution
Read Chapter 13
Review Chapter 13 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Prisons in Your State Test #13
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson focuses on what it is like to be in prison and to reenter society. This lesson examines prison culture and violence, correctional officers and employment, female correctional officers and women’s prison issues, along with matters of race and ethnicity.
Read Chapter 14
Review Chapter 14 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Prison Gangs and Violence
Test #14
Lesson Evaluation
- A comprehensive description of the journey taken by juveniles from first contact with police to trial and punishment occurs in this lesson.
- Theories are scrutinized to understand juvenile delinquency and what steps can be taken to prevent it
Read Chapter 15
Review Chapter 15 PowerPoint Complete Discussion Posts Assignment – Sentencing a Minor Test #15
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson looks at three important issues: (1) privacy in the age of terrorism, (2) cyber crime, and (3) white-collar crime. Anti-terrorism legislation, the constitutionality of government mass surveillance techniques, and issues of Internet speech add to the study of the above issues which asks learners to exercise ethical judgment about white-collar crimes and punishment.
- Also, this lesson reviews the basics of the criminal justice system and examines what some professionals and scholars suggest is is needed in the future.
Read Chapter 16 Complete Discussion Posts
Assignment – Internet Crime Test #16
Lesson Evaluation
Study and review all prior tests and course materials Complete Discussion Posts Write Final Project- Memo as a Criminal Justice Paralegal Take Final Exam (Covering entire course) Course Evaluation