Criminal law is very different from civil law. Although these two areas are dissimilar, there are still certain substantive and procedural laws which must function together in order to work. Procedural laws relate to due process while substantive law relate to the substantive area of the law.
In this course, students focus on criminal law. They address the difference between the substantive areas of the law and how criminal law stands alone. There are two types of laws that must always be considered: substantive laws and procedural laws. The study of criminal law requires an understanding of the substantive and procedural laws that apply, how an organized society regulates behavior, how this behavior is identified as a criminal act and how a criminal defendant may raise a defense as an excuse for committing such an act.
Course Objectives
- Students will develop an understanding of the substantive areas of law and procedural laws. This course not only focuses on the two types of law and how they relate to prosecution, defense and trial, but also categorizes crimes that exist in the American legal system.