Class 13-16 Week #3

Week #3: Introduction to criminal law - overview of criminal statutes frequently applied by police officers in the performance of their duties.  

April 7th's class focused on Criminal Law: what are the sources for the laws (the legislature, case law, agency authority); and categories/types of crime (felony, misdemeanor). A felony is any crime punishable by death or imprisonment--for example, murder. Misdemeanors are all other crimes--for example, assault and battery. Sgt. Lawrence brought a bag of "per se" weapons to show the class in order to demonstrate the difference between A&B (assault and battery) and A&B DW (assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. A per se weapon is something that can be USED as weapon, such as brass knuckles, double-edged knives, throwing stars--and a shod foot. Bare hands/knuckles aren't considered per se weapons. Teeth aren't considered weapons BUT: Sgt. Lawrence has a favorite story about false teeth being used as a weapon after the owner removed them from his mouth--in which case they would be considered a per se weapon. Who knew? This week students will begin going on ride-alongs with an officer, and reports of what went on during the shift are always entertaining--both for the class and the student involved.                                                                                                                        Donna Leiss, Contributing Editor

Photos courtesy of Pauline Fortin, John Leiss and Bob Nichols