CCJ 251 - Introduction to Criminal Law

4 credits
Surveys the criminal justice process, from arrest to exhaustion of post-conviction remedies. Introduces students to such substantive criminal law topics as the elements of a crime, defenses to criminal liability, definitions of key crimes, search and seizure, confession and interrogation, and pretrial and trial procedures. Familiarizes students with the jurisdiction, structure, and purpose of the federal and state courts. Serves as a prerequisite for many upper division criminology and criminal justice courses.