Spring 2026
Court Systems and Practices
Court Systems & Practices CJSA 1313(CRIJ 1306-9G1) 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. 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, 2. development and structure. 3. Analyze the function and dynamics of the courtroom work group. 4. 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: Email: Timothy Dinger timothy.dinger@gccisd.net Office Phone: 281-421-4400 ext. 86860 Office Location: GCM Room SW210 Office Hours: In Person M-F 6:50am-2:50pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Criminal Courts: A Contemporary Perspective, by Hemmens, Brody, and Spohn 5th Edition. Sage Publishing. ISBN 978-1-0718-3389-6 ATTENDANCE POLICY This is a face-to-face course. Students are required to attend classes. GCCISD attendance policy 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. Approved: TD 1/13/26 COURSE CALENDAR DATE 1/20-1/23 1/26-1/30 TOPIC Section I: The Purpose and Structure of American Courts READINGS (Due onthis Date) 1/23: Chapter 1-Introduction: Law and the Judicial Function 1/30: Ch2 Sources of Law ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Submission Deadline is BEFORE 10 p.m. on scheduled date. 1/24 Chapter 1 Assignment and Week 1 Discussion 2/1 Week 2 Discussion 2/2-2/6 2/9-2/13 Winter Break 2/6: Ch 3 Types of Law 2/8 Ch 2& 3 Assignment and Week 3 Discussion Project Topic Due 2/16-2/20 2/23-2/27 Section II: Courtroom Actors and the Courtroom Work Group 2/20 Ch 4 Organization and Structure 2/27 Ch 5 Prosecutors 2/20 Ch 1-4 TEST 2/22 Ch4 Assignment and Week 4 discussion 3/1: Week 5 Discussion 3/2-3/6 3/6 Ch 6 Defense Attorney 3/8: Assignment 5&6 Week 6 Discussion 3/9-3/13 SPRING BREAK 3/16-3/20 3/23-3/27 3/30-4-3 3/20 Ch 7-Judges 3/27 Ch 8 Criminal Defendants and Crime Victims 4/2 Ch 9 The Jury 3/22: Ch 7 Assignment Week 7 Discussion 3/29 Ch 8 Assignment and Week 8 Discussion 4/5: Ch 9 Assignment Week 9 Discussion Outline DUE Ch 5-9 Quiz DUE 4/6-4/10 4/13-4/17 4/20-4/24 Section III: Court Processes 4/10 Ch 10-Pretrial Procedures 4/17 Ch 11-The Criminal Trial 4/24 Ch 12-Sentencing 5/1 Ch 13 The Appellate 4/12 Ch 10 Assignment Week 10 Discussion 4/19 Ch 11 Assignment and Week 11 Discussion 4/26 Ch 12 Assignment/Week 12 Discussion 4/27-5/1 5/3 Ch 13 Assignment and Process W•e ek 13 Assignment Due 5/4-5/6 5/11-5/13 5/6 Ch 14 Specialized Crimest 5/6 Ch 14 Assignment and Week 14 Discussion Projects DUE 5/4 5/11-5/13 Presentations Exam due 5/13 5/14 FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: Grades will align with GCCISD grading policy Assignment and discussion Test and Project 60% 40% 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 LITutilizes anearly alert system called Starfish. Throughoutthe semester,you mayreceive 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. Preferred meansof communication: Email: timothy.dinger@student.gccisd.netCommunication Response Time: Expectedresponsetime for communication with instructor is 24-48 hours (except weekends). Grading Response Time: Assignments should be returned with grades within 1 week. 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 ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION IDO NOTaccept latework past the GCCISD policy. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. (ex. medical situations such as hospitalization)