Criminal Law

ADVANCED COURSE

CRIMINAL LAW

ADVANCED COURSE

FOR THE INCARCERATED
FOR THE INCARCERATED
CRIMINAL LAW

ADVANCED COURSE

FOR THE INCARCERATED

The predominance of criminal law cases within the legal system has caused an increasingly high demand for paralegals trained in this field. Blackstone’s Criminal Law advanced paralegal course introduces students to the criminal justice system and its components as well as their multifaceted role as a paralegal. The accompanying textbook, Fundamentals of Criminal Practice: Law and Procedure presents the principles of criminal law and the paralegal’s role in criminal proceedings. This correspondence course explores the basic principles of criminal law, the types of offenses, and criminal procedure from the commission of the offense to trials and their aftermath. The prosecutor’s role in initiating cases and the role of the defense attorney in defending the accused are discussed. Along with the importance of pre-trial motions and plea bargaining, this course also covers homicide, assault and battery, arson, burglary, embezzlement and extortion.

FREEDOM THROUGH EDUCATION

  • Research shows that continuing education improves self-esteem and self-worth.
  • All materials needed to successfully complete Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal courses is provided, including a soft-covered commercial textbook and an accompanying study guide.
  • Students may qualify for earned time – consult with the correctional facility’s education director for eligibility.
  • Gaining knowledge and developing skills increases opportunities for gainful employment upon release.
  • Students access the instructor by using the “Request for Consultation” forms located in the back of their study guides. Sponsors can email info@blackstone.edu with any questions on behalf of the student.
  • Accredited by the DEAC and MSA, Blackstone Career Institute strives to achieve the highest standards of school performance and student results along with compliance to all agency Standards and Code of Ethics. This is your assurance that we provide our students a quality education.
*These certificate courses have been designed for the purpose of professional growth, personal enrichment and continuing education. However, they are separate from our Pennsylvania licensure and accreditation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Understand criminal law and the criminal legal system of the United States
  • Explain the paralegal’s role in the prosecution of crimes and the administration of justice in criminal proceedings
  • Identify the components of and classification of various criminal acts
  • Explain the elements of crimes against property, public order and safety, and justice and administration, as well as inchoate and organized crimes
  • Explain different types of defenses and their elements
  • Identify the paralegal’s role in the intake procedure in a prosecutor’s office and in drafting a complaint
  • Understand the legal elements of search and seizure, including the legal use of warrants and the preparation of warrants
  • Discuss a defendant’s rights concerning confession
  • Explain and understand the paralegal’s role in pretrial procedures from initial appearance to pretrial conference
  • Describe the paralegal’s duties and tasks during the trial procedure
  • Understand terms and forms of sentencing and punishment.

BOOK INCLUDED IN YOUR CRIMINAL LAW ADVANCED COURSE

Fundamentals of Criminal Practice: Law and Procedure

by Thomas E. McClure and Thomas E. Eimermann, Wolters Kluwer Law & Business

Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal Certificate Program include all materials needed: a commercial textbook and an accompanying study guide. This material is mailed the following business day after the student has enrolled. It is shipped via U.S.P.S. with tracking.

TUITION

FULL PAYMENT

$ 455 One Time Payment
  • Faster completion time
  • Total $455

PAYMENT PLAN I

$ 59 Monthly
  • Monthly payment option
  • $160 down, 5 monthly payments of $59, total $455
  • Pay using your credit or debit card! We accept Visa, Discover, Master Card and American Express cards.
  • Blackstone has a long history of providing high quality, affordable and accessible education to incarcerated individuals. We believe in freedom through education evidenced by thousands of our incarcerated students and graduates who have changed their lives by choosing to take a course with Blackstone Career Institute.
    • BCI Payment Plans Our all-inclusive online certificate programs offer payment plans with no interest.
    • Sponsorship You can support an incarcerated individual’s educational goals by enrolling them in any of our Advanced Paralegal Courses. Students can take more than one course at a time. As their sponsor, you will have access to the student’s account information once they are enrolled. If you have questions about becoming a sponsor, please email us at info@blackstone.edu
  • Refund Policy At Blackstone, our student service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your studies we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days your refund amount is based on tuition collected, lessons completed and enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY

“Blackstone offers perpetual insight and perspective in the world of legal studies. Thank you for opening the door.”
"...Through the criminal law course, I was able to obtain significant insight and knowledge of the legal system, with this information I was able to get some relief and soon released from custody. .."
“I would recommend this Blackstone course to anyone wanting to learn how to research information and how to find crucial details in a large amount of information.”
“Blackstone offers perpetual insight and perspective in the world of legal studies. Thank you for opening the door.”
"...Through the criminal law course, I was able to obtain significant insight and knowledge of the legal system, with this information I was able to get some relief and soon released from custody. .."
“I would recommend this Blackstone course to anyone wanting to learn how to research information and how to find crucial details in a large amount of information.”

FAQs

Sponsors can enroll an incarcerated individual into the program by clicking here or calling our student service center Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST at 800.826.9228. Blackstone has open-enrollment, so sponsors can enroll the student in the course anytime, 24/7/365.

To qualify for admission, an applicant must meet the following:
  • Complete BCI’s Enrollment Agreement for admission. The agreement outlines the obligations of Blackstone and the student. The required down payment must be submitted at time of enrollment.
  • Submit information on high school completion. All students are required to have a High School Diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate to enroll in a Blackstone program. Physical or electronic evidence of this credential must be submitted to the school.
  • Once Blackstone has received and reviewed the agreement, the accepted applicant will receive a welcome letter with instructions on how to begin their course.
Yes. Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Washington, D.C and Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA. Accreditation assures the public that our curriculum, faculty, administrative procedures and polices meet the accrediting agencies’ exceptionally high standards. To better understand the value of accreditation, read this document published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
You can choose to pay the $455 tuition in full or; We offer a payment plan with a 100% approval rate for our advanced paralegal courses—you will pay a $160.00 down payment & 5 monthly payments of $59.00.
Students enrolled in an Advanced Course receive once shipment which includes a commercial textbook along with a Blackstone Study Guide. This shipment is sent with tracking through the United States Postal Service. Typical Shipping Time is 7-10 business days.
One of the major advantages in taking a Blackstone course is that students can work at their own pace. Many students complete in 3 months, and some take the full 6-month time allotted.
We are aware that incarcerated students may be transferred to other facilities or be released during their enrollment with Blackstone. The student and/or sponsor should contact Blackstone as soon as possible to notify of an upcoming transfer or release. This will allow the school to update records, hold material if needed, and send any remaining course material to the new location.

10% off For Graduates!

Receive your promo code for 10% off any Advanced Paralegal Course.

send an information packet

An info pack will be sent to the student at their facility.

broaden their legal knowledge

View our advanced paralegal courses for the incarcerated.