Courts
The criminal courts are the symbol of the U.S. system of justice. In a complex and often fragmentary process, defendants accused of crimes are declared innocent or found guilty, and the guilty are sentenced to a variety of incarcerative and community sanctions. The courses taught by the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, as well as the research conducted by departmental faculty, examine the impact of criminal court decisions on victims, offenders, citizens, crime rates, and the criminal justice system.
Criminal Law and Procedure
The curriculum focuses on the legal foundations of the U.S. criminal court system, with special emphasis placed on issues surrounding adversarial justice and the rights of the accused. Legal Studies and Criminal Justice students can benefit courses that examine the origin and practice of criminal law and procedure, including Criminal Law (PLA 3304), Criminal Procedure (PLA 3308), Criminal Law in Action (CJL 3110), Legal Aspects of Policing (CJL 4010), and Evidence (PLA 4263), and World Legal Systems (PLA 4830).
An understanding of the issues faced by prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, jurors, and probation officers is essential for Criminal Justice and Legal Studies students. Courses such as Prosecution and Adjudication (CJL 3510), Aspects of Criminal Courts (CLS 4410), American Criminal Courts (CCJ 6205), and Administration of Justice (CCJ 5456) examine the dynamics of the courthouse, as well as the impact of American courts on society.
Faculty Experts:
Criminal Sentencing
Criminal sentencing is an area of criminal law that has experienced dramatic change in the past few decades. For over a hundred years, U.S. criminal courts and, by extension, its correctional systems were governed by an Indeterminate Sentencing philosophy and practice. Since the mid-1970s, the national movement for Determinate Sentencing has produced a proliferation of mandatory sentencing laws calling for longer periods of incarceration and the elimination of early release programs. Issues surrounding the extreme sentence of Capital Punishment are also examined in-depth. Courses such as Death Penalty (CCJ 4361 and CCJ 6362), Criminal Sentencing (CJL 4514), and Punishment Policy (CCJ 6335), discuss the theoretical, operational, fiscal, and ethical issues involved in contemporary sentencing policy. Issues concerning the criminal punishment of juvenile offenders are also examined.
Faculty Experts:
Trial Advocacy
Students are offered opportunities to participate with the departmental Mock Trial Team as well as the team for members of Phi Alpha Delta, UCF’s pre-law fraternity to hone their trial advocacy skills. Course offered are Trial Advocacy (PLA 4910) and Advance Trial Advocacy (PLA 4223). Students develop courtroom skills through simulating the roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses before volunteer attorney judges. Students selected for the Mock Trial Team compete against teams from other universities at regional and national competitions across the country. UCF also hosts the Southeastern Invitational Mock Trial Team Competition, which provides additional opportunities for our students to demonstrate their trial advocacy talents.
Faculty Experts:
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