Introduction to Paralegal Studies & Criminal Justice Combination Program
IPGL100 — Internship in Paralegal Studies, 3.0 hours
This course is the core of the paralegal Associate program. Students will learn the past, present, and future of the paralegal profession, including the paralegal defined, educational options, techniques for marketing skills and career opportunities. Instructions on ethics and professional responsibility, the organizational structure of the legal workplace and office culture and politics will prepare students for the challenges of today’s paralegal. Students receive a formal introduction to the law by examining sources of American law, the court system, alternative dispute resolution, substantive law in its various forms, as well as administrative law and government regulation. Legal procedures and advanced skills involving civil litigation and trial procedures, criminal law, conducting interviews and investigations, using primary and secondary sources to legal research, the emerging technology of computed assisted legal research, in addition to legal analysis and writing provide valuable insight and a solid foundation for the future legal assistant.
Program Objectives
1) Discuss the basic duties of paralegals and their role in the legal system
2) Identify how technology is utilized by paralegals
3) Describe what the sources of U.S. law are and how they can be used in legal research
4) Analyze how the U.S. courts are structured
5) Understand how ethics rules apply within the legal system and to paralegals’ conduct
6) Explain legal billing/fees and programs used to track them
7) Define case management and docket control
8) Identify methods of conducting effective legal research
9) Demonstrate your ability to draft legal documents
10) Compare strategies for preparing for civil litigation
11) Evaluate how electronic discovery benefits the client
12) Indicate skills necessary to effectively complete interviews
13) Assess the types of litigation support software
14) Discover the structure and components of civil trials
15) State the rights criminal defendants have and the procedures used to protect those rights
16) Illustrate how to use technology and trial presentation programs in the courtroom
17) Defend your positions on which Constitutional provisions should be amended
18) Utilize online resources to research case law
19) Discuss the basics of criminal law from arrest to parole
20) Identify major causes of crime and local crime issues
21) Locate Supreme Court opinions to identify legal issues
22) Identify and explain U.S. Constitutional rights
23) Deconstruct acts of domestic terrorism
24) Formulate elements of a crime from statutes
25) Define and measure crime using official reference tools
26) Describe law enforcement rules and effective strategies
27) Describe the trial process, the purpose of each stage, and the role of judges
28) Explain various punishments and sentences for crimes
29) Define probation, community corrections, and parole
30) Describe conditions and purposes of prisons and jails
31) Discuss various Criminal Justice career opportunities
32) Identify use of force rules and anti-crime technologies
33) Construct an effective search warrant statement
34) Interpret ethical issues in policing and corrections
35) Consider the impact of crimes on victims
Professor
Julie Beadle
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
Paralegal Studies
Meinzinger, Mary, and Roger Miller. Paralegal Today: The Essentials. 7th ed. Albany,NY: Delmar, 2017.
Criminal Justice
Gaines, Larry K. & Miller, Roger LeRoy. Criminal Justice in Action 9e. Boston: Cengage 2017.
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 40 Points
- Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
- Midterm Exam - 20 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 190. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 190.
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
1) Discuss the basic duties of paralegals and their role in the legal system
2) Identify how technology is utilized by paralegals
3) Describe what the sources of U.S. law are and how they can be used in legal research
4) Analyze how the U.S. courts are structured
5) Understand how ethics rules apply within the legal system and to paralegals’ conduct
6) Explain legal billing/fees and programs used to track them
7) Define case management and docket control
8) Identify methods of conducting effective legal research
9) Demonstrate your ability to draft legal documents
10) Compare strategies for preparing for civil litigation
11) Evaluate how electronic discovery benefits the client
12) Indicate skills necessary to effectively complete interviews
13) Assess the types of litigation support software
14) Discover the structure and components of civil trials
15) State the rights criminal defendants have and the procedures used to protect those rights
16) Illustrate how to use technology and trial presentation programs in the courtroom
17) Defend your positions on which Constitutional provisions should be amended
18) Utilize online resources to research case law
19) Discuss the basics of criminal law from arrest to parole
20) Identify major causes of crime and local crime issues
21) Locate Supreme Court opinions to identify legal issues
22) Identify and explain U.S. Constitutional rights
23) Deconstruct acts of domestic terrorism
24) Formulate elements of a crime from statutes
25) Define and measure crime using official reference tools
26) Describe law enforcement rules and effective strategies
27) Describe the trial process, the purpose of each stage, and the role of judges
28) Explain various punishments and sentences for crimes
29) Define probation, community corrections, and parole
30) Describe conditions and purposes of prisons and jails
31) Discuss various Criminal Justice career opportunities
32) Identify use of force rules and anti-crime technologies
33) Construct an effective search warrant statement
34) Interpret ethical issues in policing and corrections
35) Consider the impact of crimes on victims
Lessons
Introduction to the paralegal profession, job responsibilities, and career opportunities
Review all Weekly Course Material
Complete all activities
How computers and technology are utilized in a law office & review computer skills
Read Chapter 3 - The Crime Picture: Offenders and Victims
Complete all activities
Structure of American courts, sources of law & legal research
Read Chapter 4 - Inside Criminal Law
Complete all activities
Ethical considerations of the paralegal profession
Read Chapter 5 - Law Enforcement Today
Complete all activities
Law office operations, legal fees, and client agreements
Read Chapter 6 - Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing
Complete all activities
Time tracking , billing, billing software
Read Chapter 7 - Police and the Constitution: The Rules of Law Enforcement
Complete all activities
Software programs used to track client cases, how social media impacts legal field
Read Chapter 8 - Courts and the Quest for Justice
Complete all activities
Performing legal analysis and research, research methods such as case briefing
Read Chapter 9 - Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action
Complete all activities
The internet as a tool for research and investigation
Read Chapter 10 - The Criminal Trial
Complete all activities
Lesson 10 - Punishment & Sentencing
Read Chapter 11 - Punishment and Sentencing
Complete all activities
Tasks involved in a civil lawsuit prior to trial, filing motions & obtaining discovery
Read Chapter 12 - Probation, Parole, and Intermediate Sanctions
Complete all activities
How to successfully interview clients and witnesses. Locating witnesses
Read Chapter 13 - Prisons and Jails
Complete all activities
Methods and programs for preparing documents, filings, exhibits for litigation
Read Chapter 14 - The Prison Experience and Prisoner Reentry
Complete all activities
The role of the paralegal during the trial, what accours at trial and appeals procedures
Read Chapter 15 - The Juvenile Justice System
Complete all activities
Issues regarding criminal law, constitutional rights, types of offenses and trial procedures
Read Chapter 16 Today's Challenges: Security vs. Liberty, Cyber Crime, & White-Collar Crime
Complete all activities
Using technology in the courtroom to make an effective case presentation
The United States Constitution and its protections
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 1 - Today's Professional Paralegal and Chapter 2 - Career Opportunities
Complete all activities
The inner workings of a law office
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 1 - Overview of Computers and Technology in the Law Office (pages 1-22) and Chapter 2 - Word Processing and Document Assembly (pages 26-43)
Complete all activities
Final Exam & Projects
Demonstrate Comprehension of Law, Ethics, and Professionalism!
Complete all activities
Criminal justice today - defining crime, the three major institutions of enforcement, courts & corrections
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 5 - Sources of American Law and Chapter 6 - The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Complete all activities
Causes of crime - theories of crime. Drugs, the role of family, friends, media, social processes of crime
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 4 - Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Review the ABA Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services: https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/paralegals/ls_prlgs_modelguidelines.pdf
Complete all activities
Offenders & victims - classifications of crime, how crime is measured, trends, women, race & poverty
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 3 - The Inner Workings of the Law Office
Complete all activities
Inside criminal law - U.S. law enforcement at the local state, federal
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 4 - Legal Timekeeping and Billing Software (pages 165-193)
Complete all activities
Law enforcement today - introduction to U.S. law enforcement, local, state & federal agencies
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 5 - Databases, Case Management, and Docket Control Software (pages 213-229) and Chapter 6 - The Cloud and Social Media (pages 255-271)
Complete all activities
Modern policing - discretion, ethics, misconduct, use of force, racial and ethnic biases, accountability
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 7 - Legal Analysis and Research
Complete all activities
Rules of law enforcement - police and the constitution, legal and procedural considerations
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 9 - The Internet, Computer-Assisted Legal Research, and Electronic Mail (pages 379-419)
Complete all activities
Courts and justice- Functions of the courts and judicial system, judges and courtroom professionals
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 9 - Legal Writing: Form and Substance
Complete all activities
Pretrial & the adversarial system - procedures, the role of prosecutors and defense attorneys
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 10 - Civil Litigation: Before the Trial and Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 7 - Electronic Discovery (pages 274-294)
Complete all activities
Criminal trial - rules, role of jury, jury selection, trial phases, and conviction procedures
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 11 - Conducting Interviews and Investigations
Complete all activities
Punishment and sentencing - punishment options, purpose and structure of sentencing and related topics
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 8 - Litigation Support Software (pages 297-327)
Complete all activities
Probation, parole and intermediate sanctions - alternatives to jail
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 12 - Trial Procedures
Complete all activities
Prison and jails - organization and structures, overcrowding, private prisons, mental illness ethical issues.
Read Paralegal Today: Chapter 13 - Criminal Law and Procedures
Complete all activities
Prison experience and reentry - prison culture, violence, corrections officers and employment
Read Using Computers in the Law Office: Chapter 10 - The Electronic Courthouse, Automated Courtroom, and Presentation Graphics (pages 455-471)
Complete all activities
Juvenile justice system - juveniles, police, trial, punishment, delinquency prevention
Read Paralegal Today: Appendix I - The Constitution of the United States
Complete all activities
Challenges - privacy vs. liberty, cybercrime, white collar, anti-terrorism, mass surveillance
No assigned reading - Study for the final
Review - the future of criminal justice in America
The exam is cumulative, so please review all the chapters in your textbook.
Complete all activities
Exam