AJS 109 - Substantive Criminal Law

1. Origins and structure of the criminal justice system 
2. Constitutional limitations on American criminal law 
3. Classification and basic elements of crimes 
4. Defenses to crime 
5. Punishment and sentencing for crime 
6. Types of crimes including: homicide and other crimes against persons; crimes against habitation and other crimes against property; white collar and public order crimes; drug- and alcohol-related crimes; obstruction of justice and organized crime 

1. Explain the origins and structure of the American criminal justice system. (1) 
2. Identify the primary constitutional limits on American criminal law. (2) 
3. List the classifications and basic elements of crimes. (3) 
4. Identify the general defenses to criminal liability. (4) 
5. Describe basic issues of criminal punishment and sentencing. (5) 
6. Apply the elements of specific types of crimes to given fact patterns to determine if crimes have been committed. (6)