Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102690

Coordinator John Edwards Opens in new window

Description Knowledge of the criminal law is useful to state and federal police forces, government and private organisations, military police, private investigators, anti-corruption agencies, and in industries such as banking and insurance. All have a vested interest in preventing, detecting and investigating breaches of the criminal law through a policy framework. This subject introduces students to the common criminal offences encountered by police officers, with a focus on those investigating breaches of the criminal law rather than those prosecuting or defending. Common elements of Australian (particularly NSW legislation) and international jurisdictions and Commonwealth legislation are covered.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Police Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Incompatible Subjects CULT 2006 - Evidence Investigations and Police Intelligence

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Describe the basic elements of a range of commonly used criminal offences.
2. Apply the basic elements of commonly used criminal offences to scenarios to determine the offence.
3. Distinguish the different sources and jurisdictions of criminal offences.
4. Explain the legal reasoning of the courts in interpreting the criminal statutes.

Subject Content

Common offences of the Crimes Act 40/1900 (NSW)
Common offences of the Drug Misuse & Trafficking Act 25/1985 (NSW)
Selected offences of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Commonwealth)
General and partial defences to criminal offences
Statutory law and common law offences