Criminal Law

Blackstone offers various programs to enhance the education and career of those looking to obtain a paralegal certificate. Paralegals specializing in criminal law are in demand. Consider this advanced paralegal course to learn more about trial preparations and procedures. The criminal justice system and its components, including criminal proceedings, offer paralegals the opportunity to take on a multifaceted role. Explore the basic principles of criminal law, the types of offenses, and criminal procedure from the commission of the offense to trials and their aftermath. Discover the prosecutor’s role in initiating cases, the role of the defense attorney in defending the accused, the importance of pre-trial motions, and plea bargaining.

Blackstone advanced paralegal courses qualify as CLE credit for the five-year PLS and PP recertification through NALS (the association for legal professionals). In addition, each of these courses provide 20 hours towards the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) needed for recertification if you are a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). With Blackstone’s advanced paralegal courses, you have the freedom and flexibility to take the courses you need to renew your certification and to advance you knowledge with specialized legal skills.

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  • Prerequisite: High School or General Equivalency Diploma
  • Study Method: E-books with online study guides and exams
  • Program Length: Completion time ranges from 4-6 months, with students given the option of up to 6 months if needed. Students must satisfy all academic and financial obligations to graduate from their program.
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Program Details

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Criminal Law Curriculum

Click here for a complete list of Program Objectives and Program Outline

View Curriculum Details

Lesson 1: Introduction to Criminal Justice and Criminal Law

  • The Criminal Justice System
  • Basic Principles of Criminal Law

Lesson 2: Criminal Offenses and Investigation of Criminal Behavior

  • Types of Offenses
  • Investigation of Criminal Behavior

Lesson 3: Initiating Cases and Defending the Accused

  • The Prosecutor’s Role in Initiating Cases
  • Defending the Accused

Lesson 4: Discovery, Defenses, and Pretrial Motions

  • Discovery and Disclosure
  • Legal Defenses
  • Pretrial Motions and Plea Bargaining

Lesson 5: Criminal Trials

  • The Nature of Criminal Trials
  • Preparation for the Trial
  • The Conduct of the Trial

Lesson 6: Sentencing and Appeals

  • Sentencing
  • Appeals

All tuition plans are interest FREE! Choose affordable education on your terms. Speak with an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-826-9228 or enroll online now.

Criminal Law Materials

Blackstone makes it easy for you to complete the Criminal Law course by providing all of the materials needed, including a commercial e-textbook and an accompanying study guide. See further details below:

Criminal Law

Your e-book is delivered via VitalSource, one of the most popular and user-friendly e-textbook platforms for higher education. With VitalSource, you can change the page layout to suit your reading needs and easily search for keywords, tables and graphics throughout the text. You also have access to highlighting and note tools to help you make the most of your studies. You have the ability to work online or off…wherever it is convenient for you!

Fundamentals of Criminal Practice: Law and Procedure, by Thomas E. McClure and Thomas E. Eimermann. ISBN 9781454809692

Access to Blackstone’s Online Student Center

Along with your traditional course items, you will gain unlimited access to Blackstone's Online Student Center, where you can take exams and receive instantaneous Grade Reports, chat real-time with other Criminal Law students, participate in online discussions, and receive news about Blackstone.


In addition, Blackstone will also provide you with:

Financial Assistance

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Blackstone’s financial assistance programs include sponsorship, interest-free financing with low monthly payments, and GI Bill Education Benefits for veterans.

All tuition plans are interest FREE! Choose affordable education on your terms. Speak with an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-826-9228 or enroll online now.

Criminal Law Tuition

Blackstone Career Institute makes it easy for you to receive a quality education at an affordable cost. Choose the payment plan that best fits your budget and get started today!

Available Payment Plans

1. You can choose to pay the $396 tuition in full or;

2. We offer a payment plan with a 100% approval rate for our advanced paralegal courses—you will pay a $160.00 down payment & 4 monthly payments of $59.00.

*International, HI, and AK students Click Here*

International Student Policy:

International, Alaskan, Hawaiian and Canadian students are required to participate under the full payment plan only. There is an additional charge for shipping/handling of all materials. Please refer to the International Training page for requirements or call (800) 826-9228 prior to enrollment. AK, HI, Canadian and international students may be required to pay extra duties required by customs authorities at the time of receipt of study material.)
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At Blackstone Career Institute, all tuition plans are interest FREE! Choose affordable education on your terms. Speak with an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-826-9228 or enroll online now.

Resources for Advanced Paralegal Careers

Career Resources include sites that specifically relate to paralegal careers. Find organizations to join and increase your networking abilities. Many of these organizations and associations have their own newsletters or magazines, job databases, and certification exams. You will also find links to other relevant web sites for paralegal careers, as well as books, software or journals that can help as you build your professional knowledge.

Explore online resources below in the following categories:

  • Paralegal Associations
  • Related Associations
  • State Bar Associations
  • Government Links
  • Law-Related Sites and Resources
  • Job Resources for Paralegal Careers
  • Books and Journals for the Paralegal Profession

 

Paralegal Associations

Related Associations

State Bar Associations

Government Links

Law-Related Sites and Resources

  • U.S. Courts: Locate district courts, probation offices, court of appeals, bankruptcy courts, and pretrial services offices by city, state, county, zip or area codes.
  • The Supreme Court Historical Society: A history and heritage of the Supreme Court and how it works
  • Library of Congress: U.S. and overseas newspapers, current periodicals, and government publications
  • Attorneys in the Martindale Directory: Search for lawyers by name, location, area of practice, firm, or in U.S. Government agencies
  • Lawyer directory from LexisNexis: Search by practice area or location Prison Legal News • Search articles and cases
  • Paralegal Today: Website for the trade magazine Paralegal Today; with online articles, news briefs and events related to paralegal careers
  • LawCentral.com: Links to a variety of law-related sites
  • FindLaw: News, cases and codes; a resource for students, those in paralegal careers and other legal professionals, as well as the public
  • Law.com: Buy legal books and products, search for legal terms and verdicts, file legal documents and forms, links to legal magazines
  • Lawsource.com: Home of American Law Sources On-line, providing a comprehensive, uniform, and useful compilation of links to freely accessible on-line sources of law for the United States and Canada
  • LLRX.com: Law and technology resources for those in paralegal careers and other legal professionals, including sources for State and Federal court rules, forms, dockets and legislation and law-related articles
  • The Virtual Chase: Articles, guides, teaching materials, an alert service and more on Internet research strategies and resources
  • Lexis Advance®: Online legal research service that provides access to statutes, case law materials, public records, and other legal resources. (Student subscription included with Legal Assistant/Paralegal program)
  • LexisNexis Torts & Personal Injury Law Community: Access free, up-to-date content and resources regarding Torts & Personal Injuries in this LexisNexis Community
  • Westlaw: Online legal research service that provides access to statutes, case law materials, public records, and other legal resources, along with current news articles and business information
  • Famous Trials: Famous American and international trials, including primary and secondary sources, maintained at the University of Missouri-Kan sas City Law School
  • Federal Judicial Center: Reference to help students, those employed in paralegal careers, the public, and federal court employees understand aspects of the federal courts
  • Legal Information Institute: An electronic library covering various law topics, court opinions, introduction to basic legal citation, state and federal laws
  • National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information
  • Laguna Preparers Service: Legal document assistant services for all California counties
  • Legal Abbreviations and Terms: Westlaw glossary of terms used in paralegal careers for legal research
  • lib.law.washington.edu: Acronyms and abbreviations that are used throughout Washington Legal Researcher 's Deskbook 3d
  • www.law.cornell.edu: Lexicon at Cornell's Legal Information Institute offers definitions of legal terms dictionary
  • Findlaw.com: Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law on Findlaw
  • dictionary.law.com: Law.corn 's online Real Life Dictionary of the Law

Job Resources for Paralegal Careers

  • U.S. Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook for paralegals with current data on paralegal careers
  • Monster.com Career Advice: Profile on paralegal careers
  • Paralegal Jobs from LexisNexis: Resource for job seekers and employers
  • Exclusively Legal: Provides specialized staffing services to law firms and corporate legal departments, a job search engine, and ability to submit a resume
  • Vault: Find firms by region and search the law job board
  • Law jobs: Search jobs, post your resume, submit career questions related to paralegal careers
  • Legal Career Center Network: Job search and recruiting services for legal community and those interested in paralegal careers, search for Associations by state
  • Beacon Hill Legal: Provides interim and direct-hire staffing solutions to law firms and corporations for paralegals, legal support staff, and those interested in paralegal careers in specific and specialized practice areas
  • Paralegal Post.com: Jobs for the paralegal community, interview and resume tips
  • Kelly Law Registry: Legal placement firm specializing in permanent and temporary assignments Paralegal Jobs- Search jobs and post your resume
  • Law Crossing: The largest collection of legal jobs in the world, including paralegal careers
  • IHireLegal: Search jobs, upload your resume, and receive live customer support and email notifications of new job postings that match your qualifications
  • Pathways Personnel: Submit your resume and browse open positions; for Northern California only.
  • CollegeGrad.com: Entry-level paralegal careers and job seeker tools & resources
  • Filcro Personnel, Inc.: Recruits paralegals, legal assistants, and legal secretaries for New York Law Firms and Corporations
  • Become a paralegal: State-specific information for aspiring paralegal professionals including hourly and annual wage figures, relevant professional organizations, and more.

Books and Journals for the Paralegal Profession

  • NOLO: Legal books, software and forms
  • Amazon.com: Check out the various titles available and type "paralegal" into the search bar
  • Loc.gov: Find law books and those relevant to paralegal careers at the Library of Congress
  • Paralegal Today: Subscribe to their bimonthly magazine for Paralegal Professionals, or join the PT Listserv to network with others and learn more about paralegal careers