Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this course students should (1) be familiar with the sources and significance of federal criminal law in the Australian criminal justice system; (2) have an overview of the contents and an understanding of the special features of federal criminal law and procedure and federal sentencing law and how these elements relate to state criminal law systems; and (3) have a critical understanding of the possible future shape of federal involvement in the criminal law sphere.
Synopsis Topics which form the core material include the history of federal involvement in the criminal law, federal policing agencies, the sources and nature of federal criminal procedure; the relationship of federal criminal law to state criminal law and to state courts; and the sentencing structures for federal offenders. Additional topics will be added from year to year. These may include drug offence, extradition, war crimes legislation and other emerging topics of federal interest.
Assessment Research papers (8000 words): 80% + Class participation: 20%