10504901Constitutional Law
Course Information
Description
In this course, learners will diagram the structure of the criminal justice system, identify situations where constitutional rules are applicable, identify situations where an officer may use reasonable suspicion to contact a subject, identify the elements of a lawful arrest, identify search-related activities where the 4th amendment is not applicable, identify the requirements that pertain to search warrants, analyze situations where an officer may conduct a search without a warrant, compare the requirements for conducting routine searches with those for searching disabled persons and strip searches, identify the requirements of the laws governing confessions and statements, and analyze the various requirements that evidence must meet before it can be admitted in court.This course consists of competencies and learning objectives from the following blocks of instruction from the Law Enforcement Standards Board 520 hour Law Enforcement Basic Training Curriculum: Constitutional Law - 30 hours
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Diagram the structure of the criminal justice system.
    Assessment Strategies
    by creating a diagram of the structure of the criminal justice system
    Criteria
    the diagram shows units of the criminal justice system
    each unit marker lists examples of included agencies
    the diagram shows how various units of the system are related
    the diagram uses arrows to convey how the system works
    units are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information
    the diagram includes enough units to adequately represent the system
    the diagram is neat, legible, free of errors and has a professional look
    the diagram is turned in, with a scoring guide, by the assigned due date

  2. Identify situations where constitutional rules are applicable.
    Assessment Strategies
    by preparing a written outline of the situations where officers have violated Constitutional rules
    Criteria
    outline is prepared using the standard outline format
    outline includes at least seven types of rule violations
    outline includes only relevant and necessary details
    outline is written in clear phrases or sentences that describes behavior that violates a rule and an analysis of what rule is being broken
    outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
    outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    outline is prepared in advance of the due date/time and student participates in classroom discussion

  3. Identify situations where an officer may use reasonable suspicion to contact a subject.
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing and acting out a scenario involving an officer contacting a subject based on reasonable suspicion.
    Criteria
    scenario is appropriate to the situation
    scenario facts as portrayed lead viewers to the appropriate conclusion about the officer's actions
    scenario presents an appropriate level challenge to the class
    scenario portrayal follows the script presented to the instructor
    officer dialog is descriptive enough to convey information to the class
    scenario correctly portrays a situation that either meets or does not meet the standard of reasonable suspicion
    role-play meets the time requirements
    audience can easily see and hear the role-play
    team is prepared, paperwork is completed and turned in with scoring guide at the assigned presentation time.

  4. Identify the elements of a lawful arrest.
    Assessment Strategies
    by preparing an arrest warrant affidavit based on a simulated situation
    by drafting and acting out a scenario involving an officer arresting a subject based on probable cause
    Criteria
    affidavit establishes probable cause to believe the named person committed a particular crime
    affidavit details how the officer establishes probable cause
    affidavit describes specifically the person to be arrested
    affidavit adequately addresses each element of the crime
    affidavit is written in a logical and easy to understand way
    affidavit is typed, neat, uses correct grammar and is free of errors
    affidavit is turned in with a completed scoring guide, by the assigned due date
    scenario is appropriate to the assignment
    scenario facts as portrayed lead viewers to the appropriate conclusion about the officer's actions.
    scenario presents an appropriate level challenge to the class.
    scenario portrayal follows the script presented to the instructor.
    narrator dialog is descriptive enough to convey information to the class.
    scenario correctly portrays a situation that either meets or does not meet the standard of probable cause.
    role-play meets the time requirements.
    audience can easily see and hear the role-play.

  5. Identify search-related activities where the 4th amendment is not applicable.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing an analysis of several search-related activities and documenting in a written analysis paper where the 4th amendment is not applicable
    Criteria
    report identifies the main search related themes that are addressed by the 4th amendment
    report includes a description of the most common search-related activities not covered by the 4th amendment
    report clarifies exactly why the 4th amendment is not applicable in the above mentioned situations
    report is well organized
    report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    report is prepared in advance of the due date/time and student participates in classroom discussion

  6. Identify the requirements that pertain to search warrants.
    Assessment Strategies
    by preparing a search warrant affidavit for a given scenario
    by creating an outline of the critical elements to be covered
    Criteria
    affidavit establishes probable cause to believe that the item of interest is in a particular location
    affidavit details how the officer establishes probable cause
    affidavit describes specifically the item to be searched for
    affidavit describes specifically the place to be searched
    affidavit is written in a logical and easy to understand way
    affidavit is typed, neat, uses correct grammar and is free of errors
    affidavit is turned in with a completed scoring guide, by the assigned due date

  7. Analyze situations where an officer may conduct a search without a warrant.
    Assessment Strategies
    by preparing a written outline of the situations where officers may search without a warrant
    Criteria
    outline is prepared using the standard outline format
    outline includes at least six exceptions
    outline includes only relevant and necessary details
    outline is written in clear phrases or sentences that describe exceptions and scenarios that illustrate the exceptions
    outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
    outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    outline is prepared in advance of the due date/time and student participates in classroom discussion

  8. Compare the requirements for conducting routine searches with those for searching disabled persons and strip searches.
    Assessment Strategies
    by comparing the requirements for conducting routine searches with those for searching disabled persons and reporting your findings in a paper
    Criteria
    comparison is based on important features or attributes
    comparison includes the similarities between the items
    comparison includes the differences between the items
    comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
    comparison is neat and presentable
    comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling

  9. Identify the requirements of the laws governing confessions and statements.
    Assessment Strategies
    by preparing a written case study report of the landmark Supreme Court case Miranda vs. Arizona
    Criteria
    case study outlines the key elements of the Miranda case
    case study outlines the key elements of the Miranda decision
    case study specifies the key rules for police interrogators laid out by the Miranda ruling
    case study outlines the key Supreme Court decisions that have modified or further interpreted the original Miranda ruling
    case study outlines the key Supreme Court decisions that have extended additional protections to juveniles
    case study response is well organized
    case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    case study is prepared in advance of the due date/time and student participates in classroom discussion

  10. Analyze the various requirements that evidence must meet before it can be admitted in court.
    Assessment Strategies
    by conducting a show-up to identify a subject
    Criteria
    scenario/simulation is appropriate for a justifiable investigative detention and show-up
    officer obtains accurate description before show-up is conducted
    witness instructions are properly given
    officer avoids suggestive words or conduct
    officer conducts appropriate post identification interview and completes necessary paperwork
    situation (scenario/simulation) is properly documented in standard report format
    report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    report is submitted, with completed scoring guide, to instructor by assigned due date