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CTE/Public Service & Safety Curriculum Criminal Law
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Core Standards of the Course

STRAND 1
Students will be able to understand what behaviors are crimes and why they are prohibited and punished in society.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Define "what is a crime?"

Standard 2
Compare and contrast the differences between civil and criminal law.

Standard 3
Describe the classifications of crimes.

Standard 4
Identify the purposes of punishment.

Standard 5
Identify the sources of law that define crimes.

  1. Constitution
  2. Statutory
  3. Case Law

STRAND 2
Students will be able to understand the legal system in the United States.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Define the system of federalism in the United States.

  1. Executive

Standard 2
Identify the three branches of government.

  1. Legislative
  2. Judicial

Standard 3
Identify the different judicial systems in the United States.

  1. Local
  2. State
  3. Federal

Standard 4
Identify and describe the different burdens of proof.

  1. Preponderance of the evidence - civil standard
  2. Beyond a reasonable doubt - criminal standard

STRAND 3
Students will be able to understand the role and influence of the U.S. Constitution in criminal justice.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Describe the applicability of the U.S. Constitution to alleged criminal behaviors.

Standard 2
Describe the application of the due process and equal protection clauses of the 5th and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Standard 3
Describe "freedom of speech" and "freedom of religion" and identify the exceptions to these protections.

Standard 4
Describe the sources and application of the "right to privacy".

Standard 5
Explain the applicability of the "right to bear arms".

Standard 6
Explain the limitations provided by the 8th amendment.


STRAND 4
Students will be able to understand the elements of crimes and how they differ from crime to crime.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Define the criminal act element (actus reus).

Standard 2
Define the mental state element (mens rea).

Standard 3
Identify the other elements which may or may not be part of a crime.

  1. Harm
  2. Causation
  3. Attendant circumstances

Standard 4
Identify crimes which do not require a mental state -- strict liability crimes.


STRAND 5
Students will understand the variety of defenses available to an accused who has been charged with a crime.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Describe the difference between an affirmative defense and a denial or failure of proof defense.

Standard 2
Compare and contrast the difference between a perfect defense and an imperfect defense.

Standard 3
Compare and contrast the difference between a justification defense and an excuse defense.

Standard 4
Describe the use and applicability of self-defense.

Standard 5
Explain the application of consent as a defense.

Standard 6
Explain the application of defense based on choice.

  1. Necessity
  2. Compulsion

Standard 7
Explain the application of defense based on entrapment, infancy, intoxication, or mistake.

Standard 8
Explain the circumstances of the application of an insanity defense.


STRAND 6
Students will understand who may be a party to a crime, inchoate crimes, and the concept of group criminality.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Identify the various parties to a criminal act.

  1. Principal, accomplice, accessory
  2. Vicarious liability

Standard 2
Identify the various incomplete crimes.

  1. Attempt crimes
  2. Conspiracy crimes/RICO
  3. Solicitation

STRAND 7
Students will understand the different types of crimes.

Criminal Law Core

Standard 1
Identify the various types of homicide crimes.

  1. Aggravated murder
  2. Murder
  3. Manslaughter
  4. Negligent homicide (involuntary manslaughter)

Standard 2
Identify the various sex offenses and other crimes against the person.

  1. Rape and sodomy
  2. Assault
  3. Battery
  4. Domestic violence
  5. Stalking
  6. Kidnapping/false imprisonment

Standard 3
Identify the various types of crimes against property.

  1. Non-violent theft/receiving stolen property/embezzlement
  2. Extortion/robbery
  3. Burglary/trespass/criminal mischief/arson

Standard 4
Identify the various types of crimes against the public.

  1. Quality of life crimes
    • Disorderly conduct
    • Vagrancy
    • Loitering
    • Pan-handling
  2. Group conduct crimes
    • Unlawful assembly
    • Rioting
    • Gang violence
  3. Vice crimes
    • Alcohol
    • Drugs
    • Prostitution
    • Gambling

Standard 5
Identify the various types of crimes against the government.

  1. Treason
  2. Sedition
  3. Espionage
  4. Sabotage
  5. Perjury/bribery/obstruction of justice
  6. Terrorism

Performance Skills

  1. Analyze mock factual scenarios to determine what, if any, crime has occurred. Scenarios should be from each of the substantive crime categories.
  2. Research and write a report describing a crime in your local community or a current event of local or national significance. Include the following elements:
    • Provide a factual summary of the situation/event.
    • Identify the crime, if any that occurred
    • Identify the elements of the crime
    • Based on the available facts, determine if you would prosecute the crime. Why?
    • Report should be type written and consistent with professional formatting requirements.

Workplace Skills

  1. Communication
  2. Problem Solving
  3. Teamwork
  4. Critical Thinking
  5. Dependability
  6. Accountability
  7. Legal Requirements/expectations

UEN logo http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - MAREN HANSEN and see the CTE/Public Service & Safety website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - THALEA LONGHURST.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.