Week of 4/12

We're running a day behind from last week, so the schedule is being adjusted a bit. You should still be planning for an exam on Unit III towards the middle of next week.

This week's plans:

4/12 (Monday)--Landmark Supreme Court Cases. Today we will discuss the landmark Supreme Court cases included in your Essentials package for Unit III. Each group should be prepared to present the information about their chosen case to the class.

4/13 (Tuesday)--Landmark Cases Wrap-Up; Begin Student's Rights Discussion. We will conclude the discussion on landmark Supreme Court cases and begin discussing the scope and limits of students' rights under the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment. Make sure you have read the purple handout prior to class!

4/14 (Wednesday)--Complete Students' Rights Discussion. Wrap-up of students' rights.

4/15 (Thursday)--Criminal Due Process. Today we will take a closer look at the Bill of Rights provisions which protect those suspected or accused of crimes: the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eight Amendments.

4/16 (Friday)--Criminal Due Process; Plea Bargains. Today we will wrap up our discussion of criminal due process, and spend the remainder of class discussing plea bargains. Would you be surprised to learn that in approximately 95% of felony convictions, the accused chooses to give up his/her right to a jury trial and instead pleads guilty, often to a lesser charge, fewer charges, or in return for a more lenient sentence? We will discuss the important role of plea bargaining in our criminal justice system, and also examine some of the pitfalls and problems with that system.

Have a great week!