3.00 credits
(4,0,0)
15 wks
This course explores the role of discretion within the criminal legal system. Discretionary power is examined in terms of the ethical challenges it raises, the risks of bias it presents, and its role in flexible and humane decision-making. Examined in this course will be factors that influence decision-making at key junctures in the criminal legal system, from arrest to parole to detention reviews. By exploring the manner in which discretion operates, this course offers a critical lens into forces that shape 'justice' in practice.
Prerequisites: CRIM 304, CRIM 305, or CRIM 330