| CODE | CRI0115 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Criminal Justice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit comprehensively covers various aspects of the criminal justice system, examining its function, purpose, and the pivotal role of law enforcement agencies, particularly the police. Central to this exploration is the principle of police impartiality, ensuring a fair trial, and the imperative to safeguard and support victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. A critical component of the study-unit is the elucidation of relevant legislation governing the criminal justice system, notably Chapter 9 of the Criminal Code and Chapter 10 of the Code of Police Law. These legal frameworks provide the foundational understanding necessary for navigating the complexities of the system. In-depth discussions on incident and crime recording standards, including the utilization of 'Primanota', underscore the importance of meticulous documentation and adherence to established protocols. Procedures for recording significant statements, silence, or relevant comments are also scrutinized, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring the integrity of evidence for a fair trial. The study-unit further delves into the function of detention and custody within the criminal justice system, exploring legislative requirements and processes for searching, detaining, and escorting individuals to custody. Key topics include the role of the arresting officer, responsibilities of custody staff, and the assessment of welfare and risk essential for detained persons. Court proceedings and the judiciary structure are comprehensively examined, encompassing key terminology, court personnel roles, and procedural intricacies. Discussion extends to the impact of court actions on prosecution processes and the presentation of evidence in court, including rules of evidence, witness testimony, and the complexities associated with giving evidence and testifying. Additionally, cross-examination techniques and strategies to address them are explored, providing learners with a nuanced understanding of courtroom dynamics. Through a meticulous examination of these topics, the study-unit equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the multifaceted components comprising the criminal justice system effectively. Study-Unit Aims: - The Function and purpose of the criminal justice system and the role of the police; - Relevant legislation applicable to the criminal justice system including Chapter 9 - Criminal Code and Chapter 10 鈥� Code of Police Law; - Incident and Crime Recording Standards; - Arrest, detention and custody in the criminal justice system; - Key terminology used in a court; - The role and structure of the court and judiciary; - Court Procedures and presentation of evidence, testifying and cross examination. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the key purpose of the criminal justice system; - Demonstrate the process for recording of policing incidents; - Apply the processes for detaining, searching and escorting a suspect to custody; - Define the key terminology used in the criminal court; - Explain the role, structure and procedures of the court and judiciary. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the Criminal Law to incidence of crime; - Apply the Code of Police laws; - Give evidence in a court of laws; - Operate in line with the procedures in a criminal court; - Illustrate effectiveness in incident and crime recording. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Criminal Code, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta. - Code of Police Law, Chapter 10 of the Laws of Malta. Supplementary Readings: - Joyce, P. (2016). Criminal Justice: An Introduction. Taylor and Francis. - June, D., & Ebbe, O. N. I. (2013). Comparative and international criminal justice systems: policing, judiciary, and corrections (Third). CRC Press. - Smith, P. D., & Natalier, K. (2004). Understanding Criminal Justice: Sociological Perspectives (1st ed.). London: SAGE Publications, Limited. - Travis III, L., & Edwards, B. D. (2011). Introduction to Criminal Justice (1st ed.). Cincinnati: CRC Press. - Walton, D. (2007). Witness testimony evidence: argumentation, artificial intelligence, and law. Cambridge University Press. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: 4 Ordinary level qualifications (including Maltese and English) OR Extended Diploma in Foundation Studies for Security, Enforcement and Protection Law. | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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