Class 13-16 Week #2

Week #2: Introduction to Constitutional Law - Probable cause, search and seizure, Law of Arrest, Miranda, etc.

 
After last week's lighthearted class, during which students and teachers all introduced themselves, this week's class turned serious. Sgt. Lawrence dove head-first into Constitutional Law, always a topic that generates lots of class discussion. Sgt. Lawrence walked the class through the "Basics": Mere Suspicion, Reasonable Suspicion, Probable Cause, and Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. There was a lengthy class discussion about the difference between Mere Suspicion and Reasonable Suspicion, which led to a discussion of Terry vs. Ohio, which upheld an officer's right to pat/frisk on the basis of Reasonable Suspicion. Class also learned about the Exclusionary Rule, also known as the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine, which prohibits the use of evidence obtained in violation of a person's constitutional rights. Following that discussion, Sgt. Lawrence explained Miranda rights. He closed the class by reminding everybody to fill in their Ride-Along forms, as those rides will begin next week. Next week's class: Criminal Law.                                                                                                 Contributing Editor, Donna Leiss

Photos courtesy of Bob Nichols and John Leiss