CRIM-106 Street Law: Introduction to Law and Legal Issues

This course will cover the evaluation, debate, and critical analysis of law and legal issues that affect individuals, their families, and communities. Students will learn about practical aspects of civil, criminal, constitutional, family, immigration, and consumer law in a diverse society with an orientation toward civic involvement in the local community.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Discuss the meaning of law and explain the need for the rule of law
2. 2. Recognize the importance of voting
3. 3. Analyze the importance of dispute resolution methods in solving disputes
4. 4. Describe the basic organization of the state and federal court system
5. 5. Analyze the democratic principles of federalism, separation of powers, checks and
   balances, and state’s rights
6. 6. Describe the operation of the criminal justice system from investigation to release
7. 7. Argue how the Bill of Rights limits the authority and discretion of government in the
   criminal justice system and scrutinizes governmental limits on free speech
8. 8. Analyze current problems in the administration of criminal justice and propose policy
   solutions
9. 9. Categorize how the civil justice system regulates relationships between consumers and
   business, landlords and tenants, and among family members
10. 10. Discuss basic immigration law policies and suggest ways to improve the nation’s
    immigration practices in a diverse society
11. 11. Analyze current problems in the administration of the civil justice system and propose
    community-based solutions
12. 12. Identify local, state and federal agencies that address fair housing, immigrant services,
    discrimination complaints, consumer protection, domestic violence and offender re-entry
    programs and explain how to access their services

Course Objectives

1. 1. Discuss the meaning of law and explain the need for the rule of law
2. 2. Recognize the importance of voting
3. 3. Analyze the importance of dispute resolution methods in solving disputes
4. 4. Describe the basic organization of the state and federal court system
5. 5. Analyze the democratic principles of federalism, separation of powers, checks and
   balances, and state’s rights
6. 6. Describe the operation of the criminal justice system from investigation to release
7. 7. Argue how the Bill of Rights limits the authority and discretion of government in the
   criminal justice system and scrutinizes governmental limits on free speech
8. 8. Analyze current problems in the administration of criminal justice and propose policy
   solutions
9. 9. Categorize how the civil justice system regulates relationships between consumers and
   business, landlords and tenants, and among family members
10. 10. Discuss basic immigration law policies and suggest ways to improve the nation’s
    immigration practices in a diverse society
11. 11. Analyze current problems in the administration of the civil justice system and propose
    community-based solutions
12. 12. Identify local, state and federal agencies that address fair housing, immigrant services,
    discrimination complaints, consumer protection, domestic violence and offender re-entry
    programs and explain how to access their services