Criminal Justice

Course Content:

This is a module for students who are curious about the practical workings of the criminal
process and seek a refreshing change from learning ?black letter? law. We examine the
results of social research on how the criminal justice system works in the ?real world?,
practice. For example, we do not learn the legal rules of protecting detainees, but
examine what goes on in the police station, in order to find out whether the safeguards
protect the accused as intended by the law.

Our studies take us through the process sequentially, from police behaviour on the
street, through to the psychology of the courtroom. We then study particular topics,
listed below. The students devise their own project title and may, if they wish, conduct a
piece of empirical social research. Throughout the teaching, the module leader draws on
extensive research experience in this field.

Topics covered include:

Autumn semester:
? Introduction to the course and to socio-legal studies
? Theories of criminal process
? Workshop on policing
? Police discretion/ the police and the public/ community
? Police Governance & Accountability - Police & Crime
? In the police station
? The decision to prosecute; the state of the CPS; attrition in assaults and sex cases
? The defendant's perspective, defence lawyers, the unrepresented defendant.
? The plea and plea bargaining. Sentencing discounts
? The courtroom, roles and relationships

Spring semester:
? The psychology of the courtroom: juries and witnesses
? Youth Justice
? Public attitudes to criminal justice; fear of crime
? Race and the Criminal Process
? Cannabis
? The regulation of smoking

Teaching: A variety of seminars: part-lecture-format; part group-work and part student single or
joint presentations, verbal and/or visual.

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? An essay in which students select their own title within the syllabus which must
be approved by the module leader (25%)
? A take-home exam, answering 3 questions in a 4 day period (75%)
STUDY OPTION 2: Assignment
STUDY OPTION 3: Alternative Assessment (tbc)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer