CJL 2062 - Constitutional Law & Rules of Evidence

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Summer 2018 (545)

Course Description

This course introduces students to Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure. Students will examine the application of the laws of arrest, search and seizure and rules of evidence within the criminal justice system. Topics will include the exclusionary rule, self-incrimination, identification of suspects and constitutional rights before and during trial.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will explain the fundamental principles of the American Court System by:
    1. Identifying the sources of legal rights within the United States.
    2. Comparing the Federal and state court systems.
    3. Describing the criminal justice procedures that occur before and during a criminal trial.
    4. Comparing the legal concepts of probable cause and reasonable suspicion.
  2. The student will summarize the judicial process by:
    1. Explaining how the exclusionary rule relates to the admissibility of evidence.
    2. Identifying the legal requirements for a lawful stop and for a lawful frisk.
    3. Identifying the legal requirements for a lawful arrest and for a station house detention.
    4. Explaining the motor vehicle exception to the Fourth Amendment.
    5. Comparing the legal doctrines of plain view, open fields, and abandonment.
    6. Listing the five basic rights given to the accused during a criminal trial.
    7. Explaining the four goals and objectives of punishment.
  3. The student will describe the legal procedures law enforcement officers must follow in the enforcement of criminal law by:
    1. Identifying the appropriate actions taken by police in the search and seizure of evidence.
    2. Identifying the appropriate action to be taken by police during custodial interrogations.
    3. Recalling the elements of the Miranda v. Arizona warning.
    4. Explaining the appropriate actions to be taken by police during arrest.
    5. Summarizing the appropriate actions to be taken by police in both warrant and warrantless procedures.
    6. Comparing the different meanings of due process.
    7. Identifying the appropriate actions to be taken by police in the identification of suspects.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70 percent accuracy, demonstrate achievement of the above objectives through multiple-choice objective and short answer essay tests.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84 SCN change 4/23/86 Effective Session I, 87-88 Reviewed C&I 9/25/90 3 YR C&I Review 8/94 C&I 3/26/96;DBT 4/17/96 3 Year Review 2000 SCNS # change effect 20021 3 Year Review 2004.mar Flex access 20081(0400); BOT 8/19/08. 3 Year Review 2008. C&I Approval: 03/26/1996, BOT Approval: 08/19/2008, Effective Term: Fall 2008 (400).
C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Summer 2018 (545)

Related Programs

  1. Correctional Officer (to General AA) (CORR3SW-AR) (610) (Active)
  2. Correctional Officer (to Public Safety Administration BAS) (CORR2SW-AR) (610) (Active)
  3. Correctional Officer (to Public Safety AS) (CORRSW-AR) (610) (Active)
  4. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FLDLE) Law Enforcement Officer (to CJPSS-AS) (LEIC-AR) (635) (Active)
  5. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FLDLE) Law Enforcement Officer (to PSA-BAS) (LE2IC-AR) (635) (Active)
  6. Law Enforcement Officer Career Certificate/Academy (LAWSW-AR) (620) (Active)
  7. Public Safety (CJPSS-AS) (645) (Active)
  8. Public Safety Administration (PSA-TR) (670) (Active)