Available in 2024
Course code

LAWS2030

Units

10 units

Level

2000 level

Course handbook

Description

Criminal Law and Procedure is the foundational course in criminal law. Students typically study this course in the second year of the combined B Laws (Hons) programs, which means that this is the first time you learn about the role that the state plays in proscribing behaviours and regulating the conduct of its citizens through the criminal law. The course will take us on an intriguing exploration of human behaviour, the operation of legal institutions, community participation in criminal procedure, social justice and the way in which our criminal laws shape, and are shaped by, contemporary social issues.

The course will allow you to develop foundational knowledge of the criminal law. We will foster a contextual and critical understanding of the application of the criminal law in practice. The course focuses primarily on the criminal laws of New South Wales, although comparative components (both within Australia and internationally) are included where appropriate. Much of the course is devoted to studying the major criminal offences listed below. Major defences and the rules and principles of criminal procedure will also be examined in some detail. We will also begin to develop a familiarity with the principal agencies, procedures and routines involved in the administration of criminal justice in contemporary New South Wales.

Our learning activities and assessment items in the course have a connection to the practice-context, which means that we will work to develop both participatory oral and written communication skills relevant to the practice of criminal law. Those activities will be largely case and problem-based, so that you can see how your developing skills in legal analysis and legal problem solving relate to your future professional careers. You will also further develop your skills in statutory interpretation, which are fundamental to the practice of criminal law in contemporary NSW.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of major concepts and principles in the criminal law.

2. Identify the major actors and agencies and explain the major procedures involved in criminal law and its practice.

3. Evaluate the social, political, moral and ethical dimensions of criminal law and its practice.

4. Interpret, analyse and utilise primary and secondary materials relevant to the study of criminal law.

5. Engage in legal reasoning and apply legal knowledge to generate solutions to hypothetical criminal law problems.

6. Use developed oral and written communication skills to transmit knowledge and ideas in the criminal law context, including in forms relevant to its professional practice.


Content

  • Definitions of crime;
  • Aims of criminal law;
  • Criminal procedures (including investigation, arrest and bail);
  • Elements of criminal offences;
  • Non fatal offences against the person;
  • Sexual offences;
  • Drug offences;
  • Property offences;
  • Homicide;
  • Defences (including mental illness, self-defence and intoxication);
  • Principles extending criminal responsibility (including attempts, conspiracy and complicity);
  • Criminal proceedings (including classification of offences and sentencing).

 


Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in one of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and associated combined degree programs of

[12340] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12341] Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12342] Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12343] Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws(Honours)

[12346] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12347] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice

[12348] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40036] Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40037] Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40129] Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40130] Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40150] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40188] Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40189] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40272] Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40279] Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40280] Bachelor of Biomedicine/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40290] Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

[50005] Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)


Assumed knowledge

The course assumes students have completed the core 1000 level law subjects (LAWS1010, LAWS1011, LAWS1020 and LAWS1021).


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Written Assignment
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

In Term Test: In term test
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Formal Examination: Final Exam
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Presentation: Oral Presentation


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Seminar-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 80% of sessions.

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.