1. Welcome to AJ 104, Legal Aspects of Evidence Instructor: D. Mason Room:HS-8 10:00 Tues/Thurs

2. Phone: (562) 692-0921 x4057 Even Better, email: dmason@riohondo.edudmason@riohondo.edu http://faculty.riohondo.edu/dmason/

3. Textbook  Criminal Evidence, (2005)  Judy Hails, Fifth Edition  Bookstore,  $63.00 (new)  $47.00 (used)

4. This course is  A through study of the evidence rules with specific emphasis on the application of these rules in preparing and presenting evidence.  This includes a discussion of the history and approach to the study of evidence; proof by evidence by way of witness testimony, documents, and real evidence; and exclusion of evidence on constitutional grounds.

5. Critical Thinking Skills:  Analyze Legal Aspects of Evidence and the impact upon the social structure of the community through the study of a certified college level text and the reading of case studies.  We will discuss as a class, in groups, and individuals

6. Do I Really Have to Talk?  Well thought out presentations requiring deductive analysis from text, cases and critical incidents happening in the community.  Introduction and clarify at the conceptual level key legal terms and ideas applied in Legal Aspects of Evidence as discussed in the text, with the instructor and other students. (yes, you will talk in this class!)

7. This is Your Class  Acknowledge similarities and differences in value systems and ideologies as they apply to Legal Aspects of Evidence as discussed in class with the instructor and other students.  Review history and identify areas that show why the Legal Aspects of Evidence have evolved as they have by researching case law as assigned by the instructor.

8. How Will This Class Help You?  The student will gain conceptual knowledge of the rules of arrest, custody and the legal definitions and concepts resulting from a lawful arrest and custody as measured through objective tests to the satisfaction of the instructor.  You will know “why”

9. What Will You Do?  The student will evaluate the various types of arrest and specific custody laws by demonstrating this ability by writing short answer essay papers concerning its social viability and its admissibility in court.  Out of the book, in the news, and in real life!

10. What Will We Do??  Upon being assigned research regarding cases concerning arrest and custody facts, the student will prepare legal briefs to the satisfaction of the instructor, to demonstrate deductive insights from the analysis of a legal rule.

11. How to be successful?  Read, Write, Participate  Make the class yours  What do you want to learn  Earn your grade, I don’t give grades

12. RESPECT…..  One another (One at a time)  The Environment (Cell phones, pagers)  Everyone has a voice in this class, not simultaneously. We can sing & dance together, but we can’t be heard if we talk together.

13. Course Organization:  The course is divided into 16 chapters. Each week corresponds to a chapter in the textbook.  The tentative schedule is as follows:

14. Class Schedule WeekTentative Schedule August 23 & 25Introduction August 30 & Sep 1Chapter 1 September 6 & 8Chapter 2 September 13 & 15 (Chaps 1/2) Quiz 1Chapter 3 September 20 & 22Chapter 4 September 27 & 29 (Chaps 3/4) Quiz 2Chapter 5 October 4 & 6Chapter 6 October 11 & 13 (Chaps 5/6) Quiz 3Chapter 7 October 18 & 20 (Chaps 7/8) Quiz 4Chapter 8 October 25 & 27Mid-Term Examination Chaps 1 – 8 November 1 & 3Chapter 9 November 8 & 10 (Chaps 9/10) Quiz 5Chapter 10 & 11 November 15 & 17Chapter 12 November 22 (Chaps 11-13) Quiz 6Chapter 13 November 29 & 1Chapter 14 December 6 & 8Chapter 15 December 13 & 15(Chaps 14-16) Quiz 7Chapter 16 December 20 10:00am-12:00pmFinal Exam Chaps 9 – 16

15. Grading  Students must participate in all activities of the class, including being in class on time participate in all activities.  Therefore, class participation will be a graded component of the course.  Student will earn 10 points for attending, participating and submitting assignments in each class.

16. It All Adds Up!  Assignments/Part.  260 points 10pts * 26 meetings (Aug 30th – Dec 15th)  Quizzes: 175 points 25pts * 7  Mid-term Exam: 100 points  Final Exam: 100 points  571 – 635 = A  508 – 570 = B  444 – 507 = C  381 – 443 = D  380 or less F

17. It’s Only Cheating if You Get Caught  Students are prohibited from resorting to unauthorized sources for information in fulfilling the requirements of a course.  A student who cheats may be assigned an academic penalty grade at the discretion of the instructor.  The penalty may range from lowering your grade to assigning a failing grade for the course, depending on the severity of the infraction.  A penalized student will not be permitted to avoid the academic penalty grade by withdrawing from the course with a “W” grade without my consent.  Students who believe they are being unfairly accused or treated may request a hearing before the College Review Board and have the right to appeal in accordance with Board Policy No. 4220.

18. Your Turn (On the index card)  Who Am I  Why are you taking this course?  What are your education/career plans?  Where would you rather be?  If I could meet anyone (dead or alive) I’d like to meet…

19. Homework, Read Chapter One Questions????? Welcome to Class! See you in class!