intro to criminal law
Introduction
Instructor expresses excitement and engagement with the class.
Class Dynamics
Encourages interaction: students must raise hands to answer questions.
Mention of a fictional figure, "Camel."
Warm-Up Question
Instructor asks a question, students respond by identifying multiple-choice answers (a, b, c, d).
Instructor selects K as an answer for clarification.
Important Legal Case Discussion
Case: "People of the State of Kansas vs. Tristan Lede."
Context: Discusses legality surrounding purchasing marijuana.
Questions posed on whether a person buying pot is a victim; students debate legality vs. illegality.
Distinction between legality of purchasing pot vs. purchasing legal products like Twinkies.
Instructor acknowledges personal views against pot usage.
Goals of Legal Processes
Goal of criminal prosecution: to punish the defendant.
Contrasts with the goal of civil litigation.
Philosophies of Punishment
Instructor asks about 'specific deterrence':
Asserts students may not be in agreement with Jenna on definitions.
Implication of misremembering definitions.
Types of Crimes
Discussion on violent crimes vs. property crimes:
Robbery classified as a violent crime.
Burglary defined as a property crime.
Key distinction: if a crime happens in the presence of a victim, it may escalate from burglary to robbery.
Legal Classifications
Distinction between misdemeanors and felonies.
Conviction of a misdemeanor: Sent to jail (typically for one year).
Conviction of a felony: Sent to prison.
Discussion the different populations in jail vs. prison.
Crime Perspectives
Three perspectives on crime:
Consensus theory: the individual is solely responsible for crime.
Conflict perspective: society is to blame for crime (social structure).
Critical conflict: addresses systemic issues.
Crime Data Collection
Introduction of the Uniform Crime Report (UCR): collected by the FBI.
Dark figure of crime: unreported crimes that the UCR does not capture.
Fourth Amendment and Exclusionary Rule
Instructor poses a question about what legality must precede police searches:
Requires a warrant based on probable cause.
Discussion of the exclusionary rule where evidence found illegally (without a warrant) cannot be used in court.
Explanation of probable cause and its importance in warrant issuance.
Miranda Rights
Defined by the Constitutional rights that take effect upon arrest.
Recall of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
Discusses the mandatory reading of Miranda rights at arrest.
Key rights under Miranda rights:
Right to legal counsel.
Right to remain silent; cannot be compelled to testify against oneself.
The Fourteenth Amendment
Significance in due process: guarantees equal treatment by the state.
Applicability in various social issues (e.g., abortion, marriage rights).
U.S. and Global Crime Statistics
Information about execution rates: which country executes the most people?
China noted as the execution capital.
U.S. as the imprisonment capital with over 2 million individuals incarcerated.
Police Fatalities
Data on police fatalities: between 2015-2020, approximately 990 unarmed individuals were killed by police annually.
Queries the rates of police fatalities during duty; emphasizes the frequency of car accident-related fatalities.
Group Dynamics in Classroom
Setup of student groups for ongoing semester projects.
Discussion surrounding group responsibilities and accountability.
Quiz Information
Upcoming quiz covering lecture materials from week two and chapter elements of criminal liability.
Conclusion and Closing Remarks
Instructor acknowledges personal challenges leading to lack of preparation for the session. Encourages students to work hard and remain engaged.
Students dismissed or free to go after class.