LAW5335 - Contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice - 2017

The unit will vary so as to maintain a focus of developing significance. Topics covered may include: concepts of criminal justice, managerialism in criminal justice, juries, legal aid in the post-Dietrich era, the nature and extent of police investigative powers, gender issues in criminal justice, judicial training, recent developments in sentencing, the media and the criminal justice system, prosecution of complex criminal cases, the concept of dangerousness in the criminal justice system and miscarriages of justice

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and understanding in relation to the administration and functioning of the criminal justice system in Victoria with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and for further learning;
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to the law and the way in which it is applied with respect to a number of areas of current interest and concern in the areas of evidence, criminal procedure and substantive criminal law in the context of a criminal trial;
• Conduct research into contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice based on knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods;
• Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice.

Research assignment (5,000 words): 70%

Research assignment (2,500 words): 30%

24 contact hours per teaching period (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements).