An introduction to and in-depth analysis of the general principles and purposes of criminal procedure within the constitutional framework of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Students will examine the parameters that govern criminal justice procedures and permissible police conduct as balanced against citizens’ constitutional rights.

God has commissioned civil government to impose punishment upon those who do wrong. Romans 13:1-4. “Criminal procedure” is that body of law designed to ensure that government deals justly with those suspected of crimes and to ensure that government, itself, does not become a wrongdoer in its efforts to discover and punish crimes. Some of the fundamental principles of this body of law are expressed in and codified by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. A good understanding of these Amendments, and of how they have been interpreted and applied by the United States Supreme Court, is an essential part of any legal education.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 1000-1500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 400 – 500 words. For each thread, you must support your assertions with at least 3 scholarly citations in current Bluebook format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation(s) in Bluebook format. Acceptable sources include cases from assigned readings, the Bible, or scholarly journal articles. (CLO: B, D, E)

Legal Research Memoranda Assignment

The student will write a 2500 word research-based paper in current Bluebook format that focuses on the Fourth Amendment. The paper must include at least 4 reference(s) in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLO: B, D, E)

Essay Assignment

The student will write a 2500 word research-based paper in current Bluebook format that focuses on the dangers of coerced confessions and how the Constitution protects suspects from being coerced into confessing to crimes. The paper must include at least 4 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module: weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes and contain multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions. Each quiz will have a time limit.