Drugs and the law 700
Not offered in 1995
One 2-hour seminar weekly over 13 weeks
The primary focus will be upon an examination of the detection, investigation, prosecution and defence, and sentencing issues relevant to both Federal and Victorian criminal justice systems as applicable to drug and drug-related offences. Related areas require an appreciation of the criminological, penal, economic, social and policy perspectives. Topics may include (1) the proscription and regulation of substance use; (2) the nature, incidence and pharmacology of abuse and dependency; (3) Australian State and Federal responsibilities; (4) jurisdiction - international and domestic policies; (5) detection; (6) investigation; (7) prosecutorial discretions; (8) substantive issues; (9) evidentiary problems; (10) sentencing - drug cf. drug-related offences; (11) the informer - a special problem; (12) treatment options; (13) confiscation and allied orders; (14) systemic reform; (15) future decriminalisation and criminalisation.
Assessment
Take-home examination: 40% * Research paper (6000 words): 60%