This course examines the process, institutions and contexts of criminal justice. It is designed to develop a critical understanding of the theoretical, legal and policy issues relating to crime, punishment and the criminal process, and to introduce students to interdisciplinary perspectives through an examination of contemporary topics in criminal justice.  The course will also examine how criminal justice theory operates in practice and evaluate the social impact of the criminal justice system.

The first part of the course will examine the role and place of punishment in the criminal justice system. Theoretical perspectives on criminology and criminal justice, both explanatory and normative, will be evaluated. In conjunction with this part of the course, students will observe and report on criminal proceedings in the Magistrates' and Supreme courts. The second part of the course will explore theoretical and practical legal and policy issues through an examination of a range of substantive topics, such as: policing, criminal investigation, covert operations, electronic and other surveillance, charging and prosecution, diversionary conferencing and restorative justice, committal and trial requirements, the role of the jury, the impact of the criminal justice system on indigenous people, victims' interests, miscarriages of justice, domestic violence, multiculturalism, sentencing and corrections.

Details of the final assessment will be provided on the course home page by the first week of semester.

Three hours per week.

LAWS1206 Criminal Law and Procedure.
Completed or completing five LAWS courses at 1000 level.

Please refer to LAWS2214 course home page

This course complements Criminal Law and Procedure, Selected Topics in Criminal Law, Lawyers, Justice and Ethics, and Evidence. It is recommended for students contemplating work in any criminal justice context, for example: DPP, Legal Aid, Community Legal Services, Police and Corrective Services Officers.