Criminal Law and Process | Units of study... | Swinburne University of Technology

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LAW10024 12.5 Credit Points Hawthorn, Online Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students

Duration

One Semester or equivalent

Contact hours

36 hours

On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.

2022 teaching periods

Swinburne Online

Teaching Period 3
Dates: 8 Nov 21 - 13 Feb 22 Results: 8 Mar 22 Last self enrolment: 21 Nov 21 Census: 3 Dec 21 Last withdraw without fail: 31 Dec 21

Teaching Period 3

Dates:
8 Nov 21 - 13 Feb 22

Results:
8 Mar 22

Last self enrolment:
21 Nov 21

Census:
3 Dec 21

Last withdraw without fail:
31 Dec 21

More teaching periods

Hawthorn

Higher Ed. Semester 1
Dates: 28 Feb 22 - 29 May 22 Results: 5 Jul 22 Last self enrolment: 13 Mar 22 Census: 31 Mar 22 Last withdraw without fail: 15 Apr 22

Higher Ed. Semester 1

Dates:
28 Feb 22 - 29 May 22

Results:
5 Jul 22

Last self enrolment:
13 Mar 22

Census:
31 Mar 22

Last withdraw without fail:
15 Apr 22

Swinburne Online

Teaching Period 2
Dates: 11 Jul 22 - 9 Oct 22 Results: 1 Nov 22 Last self enrolment: 24 Jul 22 Census: 5 Aug 22 Last withdraw without fail: 26 Aug 22

Teaching Period 2

Dates:
11 Jul 22 - 9 Oct 22

Results:
1 Nov 22

Last self enrolment:
24 Jul 22

Census:
5 Aug 22

Last withdraw without fail:
26 Aug 22

Aims and objectives

This unit aims to enable students, through the study of cases, statutes and other material, to acquire an understanding of, and competence in, Victorian criminal law and procedure. The unit introduces students to the key principles of criminal law, including the content of criminal offences and defences to these offences. The unit explores the procedure relating to the criminal justice system including commencement of criminal proceedings, search, seizure, forensic procedures, police questioning, bail and the machinery of the prosecution, trial and sentencing.

Unit Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Identify the elements of a crime and any applicable defences
2. Locate, interpret, evaluate and apply Victorian legislation relevant to criminal law and procedure
3. Apply common law and statutory provisions to factual situations to effectively advise clients of their criminal liability
4. Conduct research relating to criminal law and procedure and use the results of that research
5. Work efficiently and effectively with other people to develop coherent solutions to problems

Unit information in detail

- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.

Teaching methods

Face to Face: Lectures ( 12 x 2 hrs), Tutorials (12 x 1 hrs) - 36 hours

Independent Learning (12 x 9.5 hrs) - 114 hrs

Online: Swinburne Online

Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning

150 hours (12 x 12.5 hrs)

Student workload:
For all teaching and learning structures (both face to face and online), students are expected to spend an average of 150 hours per unit in total over the duration of the study period

This includes all:
• Scheduled teaching and learning events and activities (contact hours timetabled in a face-to-face teaching space) and scheduled online learning events (contact hours scheduled in an online teaching space), and

• Non-scheduled learning events and activities (including directed online learning activities, assessments, independent study, student group meetings, and research)

To be successful, students should:
• Read all prescribed materials and/or view videos in preparation for each class
• Attend and engage in all scheduled classes (face to face or online)
• Start assessment tasks well ahead of the due date, and submit assessments promptly
• Read / listen to all feedback carefully, and consider it for future assessment
• Engage with fellow students and teaching staff (don’t hesitate to ask questions)

Assessment

Assignment 1 (Individual) 50-60%

Assignment 2 (Group) 40-50%

General skills outcomes

• Teamwork skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently

Content

• Definition of crime and the aims of the criminal law
• Elements of crime
• Sources of criminal liability
• Homicide and defences
• Non-fatal offences against the person
• Property offences
• Inchoate offences
• Participatory liability
• Defences
• Commencement of criminal proceedings
• Search, seizure, forensic procedures, police questioning
• Bail
• The machinery of prosecution
• Trial
• Sentencing

Study resources

- Recommended reading.