Criminal Law

Criminal law is the most glamorized of all sections of the law. As the vignette demonstrates, crimes are usually more complicated than just a drug deal or a fist fight. The vignette is replete with characters committing crimes in both common and uncommon situations. Police officers are seen performing both legal and illegal searches.

The criminal law section strives to teach students about all aspects of crime:

• What the different elements of crimes are - from drunk driving and drug possession to assault,
• How various defenses and justifications excuse the perpetrators from responsibility for the crimes committed, including the insanity defense,
• When lethal force is allowed by law enforcement and what types of force are permissible for different altercations; and
• What are an individual's rights under the 4th Amendment?

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