AJ 22 Concepts of Criminal Law

Units: 3
Prerequisites: AJ 21 Criminal Justice in Society with a grade of “C” or better.
Advisories: ENG 1A or ENG 2A with a grade of “C” or better and ability to read at the 12th grade level.
This course offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice courses will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes. (UC, CSU, C-ID AJ 120)