Module Code - Title:
LA6111
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Criminal Justice Processes and Sentencing
Year Last Offered:
2023/4
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of criminal justice processes and sentencing procedures and to encourage students to question the place of human rights within that system. By the end of the course students should be familiar with the various stages in the processes in Ireland, be aware of the strengths and weaknesses, see how human rights should fit into that system and have knowledge of comparative systems.
Syllabus:
This course will consider the various stages of the criminal justice process รป from arrest, to trial, to sentence and the various disposal mechanisms. These will be analysed through a framework of human rights to identify the strengths and weakness of the different stages, and assess the compatibility of the Irish system with human rights obligations. What human rights are involved in the criminal justice system? How are the rights of the accused and of the victim balanced within the system? What challenges does the system face in an increasingly diverse Ireland? How can deficits in human rights standards be addressed? Other jurisdictions will be looked to as comparators in efforts to answer these questions.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
- Outline key features of criminal justice processes in Ireland.
- Outline the international framework which governs human rights aspects to criminal justice processes.
- Appraise the relationship between the various stakeholders in fundamental rights discourse, that is accused, victim and state, and assess how these interests should be balanced.
- Assess the requirements imposed by 21st century Ireland on the criminal justice system.
- Compare and contrast the approaches taken in various legal systems to adapting human rights obligations in the domestic context.
- Critically evaluate the extent to which the experiences and responses of other jurisdictions, as well as international human rights principles should influence Irish law.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester - Year to be First Offered:
Autumn
-
09/10
Module Leader:
ger.coffey@ul.ie