Stopped on the street? That might be just the beginning. A criminal conviction, or even just an arrest, can have lasting effects on a person’s life, limiting one’s ability to hold a job, maintain stable housing, care for children, or even remain in this country. This experiential course combines law, social justice, and community engagement to examine these “collateral consequences” of a criminal case. We examine the stories of individual people and study actual cases to understand these consequences in the areas of immigration, employment, housing, familial relationships, and voting rights. Additional units explore the effects of the criminal justice system on juvenile populations, the falsely convicted, and those with mental health and addiction concerns.

This course aims to take students out of the books and into the real world of criminal justice and related fields. In addition to academic study and lecture, in-class guest presentations provide students the opportunity to interact with practitioners working on these issues, specifically in the fields of law, social work, politics, academia, and the nonprofit sector. We will also meet individuals who have been personally affected by contact with the criminal justice system, and students will observe courtroom proceedings to fully bring course material to life.

Students should come prepared to consider: Is it fair? Is it equal? Is it just?

Counts for the LJSC Subplan and Minor

Course Requirements:

Students will demonstrate their learning through a mid-term exam, two response papers, and participation. There are no discussion sections for this course. All readings are posted on Canvas.