Course Title: Arrange Legal Representation for Criminal Justice Clients

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: JUST5152

Course Title: Arrange Legal Representation for Criminal Justice Clients

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact : Scott Ashley

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99252917

Course Contact Email:scott.ashley@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 54

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course

Course Description

This course provides the skills and knowledge required to refer clients to: private lawyers, legal aid, pro bono legal assistance schemes and community legal centres. It includes an analysis of the role of Victoria Legal Aid, an explanation of the operation of specialist and generalist Community Legal Centres and an overview of pro bono assistance. It also includes an analysis of lawyers’ ethics and the procedures for making a complaint against a lawyer


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBQU385 Arrange Legal Representation for Criminal Justice Clients

Element:

1. Investigate the role and responsibility of defence lawyers in the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The role, function and ethical duties of lawyers are explored
1.2 The responsibilities of lawyers in representing those accused of criminal offences are analysed
1.3 Analysis is conducted to differentiate between the roles of private and public legal personnel

Element:

2. Review the role, function, responsibilities and duties of Victoria Legal Aid

Performance Criteria:

2.1 The role, function and powers of the Director of Legal Aid are analysed.
2.2 The process for applying for a grant of legal assistance is analysed

Element:

3. Examine the types of services offered by Victoria Legal Aid in relation to the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The responsibilities of VLA in the provision of legal services are analysed
3.2 The responsibility of VLA is analysed in relation to providing legal representation to people charged with criminal offences
3.3 The services provided by VLA to criminal justice clients are identified
3.4 The services provided by VLA to criminal justice clients are evaluated

Element:

4. Investigate the types of services offered by generalist Community Legal Centres in relation to the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

4.1 A range of legal matters that are handled by generalist CLCs is identified
4.2 The CLC’s duties, responsibilities and powers are identified.
4.3 The differences between project work, community development and direct service provision are identified.
4.4 The service provided to criminal justice clients by the CLC is evaluated

Element:

5. Examine the types of services offered by specialist Community Legal Centres in relation to the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

5.1 A range of legal matters that are handled by specialist CLCs is identified,
5.2 The service provided to criminal justice clients by the specialist CLC is evaluated

Element:

6. Analyse the availability of pro bono legal assistance in Victoria

Performance Criteria:

6.1 The origins of pro bono legal assistance are identified
6.2 The availability of pro bono legal assistance is analysed
6.3The effectiveness of pro bono legal assistance schemes is evaluated

Element:

7. Analyse new forms of legal assistance

Performance Criteria:

7.1 The operation and effectiveness of email legal advice is evaluated
7.2 Sources of web based legal information are identified and evaluated

Element:

8. Analyse the process and procedures for complaints against lawyers

Performance Criteria:

8.1 The process for making complaints against lawyers is identified
8.2 The powers and role of Legal Services Board and Commissioner are analysed


Learning Outcomes


See Elements


Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, seminar presentations, group/individual work on projects, audio-visual presentations, field excursions where applicable, on site visits, and interaction with individuals and groups within the criminal justice area


Teaching Schedule

Weekly 3 hour classes from the week commencing 12 July until the end of October. There will be a one week semester break in the first week of September.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will consist of:

  1. Written assignments
  2. Participation in classroom and on-line debates and discussions
  3. Exam

Note: All assessment tasks must be satisfactorily completed


Assessment Tasks

Students will be advised of the details of assessment early in the semester


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview