CJS 112 The Court Systems

This course will survey the organizational structure of U.S. courts at the local, state and federal levels. It will include an examination of the roles and functions of the courtroom workgroup: judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys.Conflicts of formal and informal practices are discussed (i.e., the trial vs. plea bargaining; the adversarial vs. a cooperative system of law). Other topics will include the role of probation in the court system and the relatively recent introduction of special courts (drug, gun, and community).The role of negotiation is emphasized. This course may require a student visit to view a local area court proceeding. Spring