Faculty Syllabus

DL Students are expected to follow the directions given in Orientation and Syllabus. The course assignments due dates are shown in MindTap. This course cannot be completed without the Cengage LMS MindTap online content. Assignments and tests are embedded in MindTap.

Students will complete all assignments, quizzes and tests on or before the assigned due date. The course calendar is considered adjustable and may be revised during the semester to facilitate learning objectives. All students will be informed of any calendar revisions via BB Announcement and email. It is the responsibility of all students to read class emails and Announcements.

Students will not be allowed to make-up any missed class assignment. 

Readings

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/SOFTWARE

 ‘Criminal Procedure', Joel Samaha  Cengage Publishing 10th ed.

This is a First Day Access course and students do not need to purchase textbook, it is included in the course. Note: the online section of this course will use MindTap Access. Please refer to the instructor’s distance learning orientation for more information.

TCOLE Material is included in this course and must be completed as assigned.

I. Sources of Police Authority

            A. Police Powers

            B. Constitutions

            C. State Statutes

            D. Traditions

II. Police Responsibilities

            A. Legal Obligation to Enforce Statutory Law

            B. Legal Obligation to Uphold Constitution

III. Constitutional Constraints

            A. Bill of Rights

                        1. Due process and equal protection

                        2. Applicability to the States

            B. Exclusionary Rule

                        1. Historical context

                        2. Alternatives to the rule

                        3. "Police the police" concepts

                        4. "Fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine

IV. Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure

            A. Definitions

                        1. Arrest

                        2. Search

                        3. Probable cause

                        4. Entrapment

            B. Legal Justification for Arrest

            C. Legal Justification for Search

            D. Use of Warrants

V. Case Studies in Arrest, Search, and Seizure

            A. Probable Cause

            B. Search Incident to Arrest

                        1. Scope

                        2. Other requirements

            C. Consent Search

                        1. Requirement of voluntariness

                        2. Scope

                        3. Authority to consent

            D. Plain View Doctrine

            E. Warrantless Search and Seizure of Vehicles

                        1. Permissible circumstances

                        2. Impoundment

                        3. Routine inventory

            F. Open Fields and Abandoned Property

            G. Stop and Frisk

            H. Admissions and Confessions

            I. Pre-trial Identification Procedures

            J. Emergency Circumstances/Exigent Circumstances

            K. Electronic Searches

VI. Police Liability

            A. Civil

                        1. Direct

                        2. Vicarious

            B. Criminal

                        1. Federal

                        2. State

Office Hours

M 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Cypress Campus

NOTE Phone and Zoom meetings can be scheduled by calling 512-223-2184.

• Course RequirementsReadingsCourse SubjectsStudent Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES, GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES, & SCANS

Department scans skills for this course are reading, writing, mathematics, thinking skills, personal qualities, workplace competencies and basic use of computers. Students will demonstrate their mastery of these skills using class discussions, written assignments, demonstrations, and test taking.