CJS 233 The Court System

This survey course is a foundational course in criminal justice court system adjudication. Topics and processes such as the process of steps in criminal adjudication, the organization of a typical State and the Federal court system, and the roles, relationships and interactions of the judge, prosecutor, defense counsel and jury within the adversarial model of criminal case adjudication are all critical elements of course. Class readings, discussion and debate focuses on the part played by the prosecutor, judge and defense counsel during the process of plea negotiation and the critical role played by the exercise of discretion of these actors on individuals, groups and the public. Students will compare developing trends in criminal case adjudication (such as therapeutic courts and restorative justice) with the traditional adversarial process of adjudication. Fall, Spring

Credits

3