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.
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.
STRAND 2
Students will be able to understand the legal system in the United States.
Standard 1
Define the system of federalism in the United States.
Standard 2
Identify the three branches of government.
Standard 3
Identify the different judicial systems in the United States.
Standard 4
Identify and describe the different burdens of proof.
STRAND 3
Students will be able to understand the role and influence of the U.S. Constitution in criminal justice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Standard 1
Identify the various parties to a criminal act.
Standard 2
Identify the various incomplete crimes.
STRAND 7
Students will understand the different types of crimes.
Standard 1
Identify the various types of homicide crimes.
Standard 2
Identify the various sex offenses and other crimes against the person.
Standard 3
Identify the various types of crimes against property.
Standard 4
Identify the various types of crimes against the public.
Standard 5
Identify the various types of crimes against the government.