On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the key principles and types of criminal law, apply the key principles to relevant cases, and discuss the impact of criminal activity on the individual and society.
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes:
Key skills
These skills include the ability to:
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes:
- principles of criminal liability, including elements of a crime, the presumption of innocence, the burden and standard of proof, age of criminal responsibility and participants in crime
- crimes against the person and related defences
- crimes against property and related defences
- the criminal investigation process, including police powers and individual rights and responsibilities in dealing with police
- sanctions under criminal law and their effectiveness
- trends in crime, sentencing and recidivism
- a comparison of one aspect of sentencing in Victoria with that of an international jurisdiction the impact of criminal acts on individuals and society
- alternative avenues for seeking compensation for victims of crime.
Key skills
These skills include the ability to:
- define key legal terminology and use it appropriately
- explain the principles of criminal liability
- research and gather information about criminal cases, using print and electronic media
- apply legal principles to relevant criminal cases and issues
- discuss the effectiveness of criminal sanctions
- analyse data on sentencing and crime trends in Victoria
- compare one aspect of Victoria’s sentencing approaches with that of an international jurisdiction
- discuss the impact of criminal acts on individuals and society.