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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Law and Justice

Unit aim

Provides students with an introduction to the principles of criminal law which includes a discussion of the application of these principles in respect of major crimes, and the procedures with which these crimes are prosecuted and defended.

Unit content

1 What is crime and the administration of criminal proceedings? 
2 Initiation of criminal proceedings 
3 Detention after arrest, police questioning, bail and legal aid 
4 The trial, committals and charge negotiations 
5 Sentencing and appeals 
6 Principles of criminal liability 
7 Assault 
8 Property offences 
9 Public order offences 
10 Defences I 
11 Defences II

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate knowledge of general principles of criminal responsibility.
2 demonstrate a working knowledge of the process by which charges are brought before the criminal courts and identify the personnel and agencies in the criminal process.
3 apply legal problem solving methodology to resolve legal problems and justify a conclusion.
4 learn and work independently within broad parameters.
5 analyse and report on legal issues in practice.
6 identify the uses and limitations of criminal law in society.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of general principles of criminal responsibility.
    • GA4:
  2. demonstrate a working knowledge of the process by which charges are brought before the criminal courts and identify the personnel and agencies in the criminal process.
    • GA4:
  3. apply legal problem solving methodology to resolve legal problems and justify a conclusion.
    • GA2:
  4. learn and work independently within broad parameters.
    • GA5:
  5. analyse and report on legal issues in practice.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  6. identify the uses and limitations of criminal law in society.
    • Not applicable

Prescribed texts

  • Howie, RN & Johnson, PA, 2014, Annotated Criminal Legislation New South Wales, 2014–2015 edn, LEXISNEXIS. ISBN: 9780409338409.
  • Shannahan, MJ, Ryan, S, Rafter, A, Costanzo, J & Hoare, A, 2014, Carter's Criminal Law of Queensland, 20th edn, LEXISNEXIS. ISBN: 9780409338317.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.