Courts and Sentencing

Catalog description

This course will focus on the structure, organization, and operation of the state and federal court systems in the United States. It examines courtroom decision making and dynamics of courthouse justice—prosecutorial discretion, plea bargaining practices, jury and judicial decision making and sentencing. Additional topics will include racial, gender and class disparities in sentencing outcomes and the impact of recent reforms directed at the criminal court system. Restricted to: Criminal Justice majors.