Lincoln-Way East
High School

201 Colorado Avenue - Frankfort, IL 60423 - (815) 464-4000
Introduction to Criminology and Law

This is a semester class.

  1. Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
    1. The main components of the criminal justice system.
    2. Stages of the American system of criminal justice.
    3. Law and its purpose.
  2. The U.S. Constitution and the American Judicial System
    1. The Bill of Rights and “the due process” of law.
    2. The structure of the state and federal court system.
    3. Marbury vs. Madison and judicial review.
    4. The stages of a criminal trial.
  3. Criminal Law
    1. The three elements of a crime.
    2. Property crimes and crimes against a person.
    3. The four broad categories of criminal defenses.
    4. Causes of crimes.
  4. Policing
    1. The historical development of policing in America.
    2. Levels of law enforcement.
    3. The basic purposes of policing in democratic societies.
    4. Police discretion.
    5. 4th and 5th Amendments
  5. Sentencing and Corrections
    1. History of prisons.
    2. Capital punishment:  The courts and the death penalty
    3. Corrections
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Last updated: October 23, 2006