Spring 2025
Court Systems and Practices
Approved: Initials/date Court Systems and Practices Law (CJSA 1313) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a study of the court system as it applies to the structures, procedures, practices and sources of law in American courts, using federal and Texas statutes and case law. This course is timebound, structured, and completed totally online. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Describe the American judicial systems (civil, criminal, and juvenile), their jurisdiction, development and structure. 2. Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group. 3. Identify judicial processes from pretrial to appeal. Describe the significant Constitutional Amendments, doctrines, and other sources of law in the American judicial system. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Robert L. Smith Email: rlsmith5@lit.edu / robert.smith@silsbeeisd.org Office Phone: 409-980-7877 Ext. 6240 Office Location: Silsbee High School #240 Office Hours: In Person available by Appointment only M-F (flexible hours) REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Instructor Provided ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to attend scheduled class or have evidence of a district approved absence. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 1/21 – 1/24 US Constitution: Amendments 1/24 1/27 – 1/31 Searches, Seizures & Trials: 4th, 5th & 6th Amendments 1/31 2/3 – 2/7 Punishments & Federalism: 8th, 9th & 10th Amendment 2/7 2/10 – 2/14 Punishments & Federalism: Death Penalty 2/14 2/17 -2/21 State & Federal Court: Texas State Court 2/21 2/24 – 2/28 State & Federal Court: Federal Court 2/28 3/3 - 3/7 US Supreme Court: History, Justices, Landmark Court Cases 3/7 3/10 – 3/14 LIT SPRING BREAK * 3/14 3/17 – 3/21 SISD SPRING BREAK * N/A 3/24 – 3/28 Court Participants: Professionals, Victims, Witnesses, Defendants 3/31 – 4/4 Pre-Trial: Arrests, Bail, Grand Jury 4/4 4/7 – 4/11 Pre-Trial: Evidence, Discovery, Motions 4/11 4/14 – 4/18 Trial Testimony and Statements: Questions for Witnesses 4/17 4/18 Good Friday - 4/21 – 4/25 Trial Testimony and Statements: Opening Statements 4/25 4/28 – 5/2 Trial Testimony and Statements: Closing Statements 5/2 5/5 – 5/8 Sentencing & Appeals/ Mock Trial 5/9 5/12 – 5/14 Mock Trial/ Final 5/13 5/15 LIT Commencement 5/15 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Assignments/ Discussions 40% • Exams/ Projects 60% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION All assignments are due as scheduled. Late or incomplete assignments will be discussed on a case-by-case basis (ex. medical situation such as hospitalization). *: Spring Break is scheduled for different weeks at each institution. Classes will meet the week of 3/10 and will not meet the week of 3/17