LW 104 - Criminal Law and Society

(3.00 cr.)

Criminal law is about a process by which evidence is gathered, organized, analyzed, and, if necessary, presented to a trier of fact to determine whether a defendant has committed a crime. This course considers principles of the law of crimes and proof of the criminal violation. More importantly, topics that sit at the intersection of law and justice are explored, making it clear that criminal law reflects the social setting in which it occurs. Does the government target certain groups for a disproportionate level of enforcement? Do prosecutors take into consideration the particular circumstances of the defendant's race, gender, social status, or economic situation in deciding whether conduct constitutes a crime? These and similar justice-based questions are considered. IFS