Inmate Paralegal courseInmate Paralegal course

Paralegal Program for the Incarcerated

Incarcerated individuals from over 1,800 facilities across the nation have already turned
to Blackstone to further their education.

Curriculum for Blackstone’s Paralegal Certificate Program for Inmates

Students choose to take our course for a variety of reasons. They realize the value of continuing their education, they want to become more knowledgeable in understanding their own case,<br> or they want to show the parole board they are working for positive change.

Our accredited Correspondence Paralegal Certificate Program provides inmate students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed in general law. Blackstone Career Institute prepares students for a career in a law firm, bank, court, government agency, or one of dozens of organizations that depend on legal assistants/paralegals today. Our nationally and regionally accredited Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program includes the 900 clock hours of coursework needed to sit for both NALA & NALS Certification, see details below. Learn how to become a paralegal today!

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Program Goals & Objectives

Blackstone’s Correspondence Paralegal Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as a paralegal or legal assistant

curriculum

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Unit 1 - Law

  • Nature of Law
  • Sources of Law
  • Classifications of Law
  • Beginnings of Law
  • Making of the Common Law
  • Enlargement of the Common Law
  • Maturity of the Law
  • American Development of the Common Law
  • History of Contracts
  • Offer & Acceptance
  • Reality of Consent
  • Contracts Under Seal
  • Consideration
  • Statute of Frauds & Perjuries
  • Capacity of Parties
  • Legality of the Subject Matter
  • Limits of Contractual Obligation
  • Assignment of Contracts
  • Joint & Several Contracts
  • Interpretation & Construction of Contracts
  • Promises & Conditions
  • Rules on Conditions
  • Impossibility of Performance
  • Breach of Contracts
  • The Discharge of Contracts

Unit 2 - Torts

  • Fundamental Notions
  • Trespass to the Person
  • Battery
  • Assault
  • False Imprisonment
  • Trespass to the Property
  • Excusable Trespasses
  • Conversion
  • Nature of Conversion
  • Particular Instances of Conversion
  • Legal Cause
  • Negligence
  • Deceit
  • The Defendant’s Wrongful Conduct
  • The Effect Upon the Plaintiff
  • Defamation
  • Two Species of Defamation
  • The Plaintiff’s Case in Defamation
  • The Defendant’s Response
  • The Response
  • Prima Facie Defense
  • Judgement & Damages
  • Malicious Prosecution
  • Interference with Domestic Relations
  • Interference with Contractual Relations
  • Interference with Business or Employment
  • Right of Privacy
  • Acting at Peril – General Principles
  • Liability for Inanimate Forces
  • Liability for Injuries from Lawful Use of One’s Land
  • Joint Tort – Feasors

Unit 3 - Criminal Law

  • The Subject Defined
  • The Act
  • The Intent
  • Incapacity or Limitations to Criminal Capacity
  • Circumstances Affecting Criminal Responsibility
  • Justification
  • Parties to Crime
  • Incomplete Offenses
  • Homicide
  • Assault, Battery, Mayhem
  • Rape
  • False Imprisonment
  • Kidnapping & Abduction
  • Burglary & Arson
  • Larceny
  • Robbery
  • Embezzlement
  • False Pretenses
  • Receiving Stolen Goods
  • Malicious Mischief
  • Forgery
  • Counterfeiting
  • Extortion
  • Offenses Against Religion, Morals & Decency
  • Offenses Against the Public Peace
  • Offenses Against Public Authority

Unit 4 - Real Property – Part I

  • Nature of Ownership
  • Origin & Terminology
  • Real & Personal Property
  • The Feudal System
  • Manors
  • Sources of Title in this Country
  • Tenures
  • Seisin & Livery of Seisin
  • Growth of Individual Rights
  • Estates
  • Fee Simple
  • Determinable or Base Fee
  • Estates Tail
  • Rule in Shelley’s Case
  • Life Estates
  • Restraints on Alienation
  • Estates upon Condition
  • Uses
  • Equitable Conversion
  • Remainders & Reversions
  • Contingent Remainders
  • Conditional Limitations
  • Rule Against Perpetuities
  • Application of Rule Against Perpetuities
  • Rule Applied to Charities
  • Rule Applied to Powers
  • Co-Tenancy in General
  • Tenancy in Common
  • Joint Tenancy
  • Coparcenary
  • Estates Arising by Marriage
  • Curtesy

Unit 5 - Real Property – Part II

  • Dower
  • Homestead Exemptions
  • Rights Appurtenant to Land
  • Fruits of the Soil
  • Waste Boundaries
  • Fences
  • Natural Rights to Land & Air & Water
  • Lateral & Subjacent Support
  • Easements Licenses
  • Profits
  • Party Walls
  • Rent
  • Covenants Running With Land
  • Forms of Conveyances
  • Surrender & Release
  • Delivery & Acceptance
  • Other Essentials to Valid Conveyance
  • Abstracts of Title
  • Covenants of Title
  • Recording Laws
  • Torrens System of Land Registration
  • Dedication
  • Public Lands
  • Powers
  • Acquisition or Transfer of Title
  • Forfeiture for Crime
  • Sales on Execution
  • Partition
  • Adverse Possession
  • Accretion, Alluvion & Reliction

Unit 6 - Pleadings in Civil Actions, Practice in Civil Actions, Criminal Procedures

  • Necessity of Pleading & Importance of Subject
  • History of Courts & Pleading
  • Course of Action
  • Common Law
  • Causes of Action
  • Proceedings in Other Courts & Effect of the Code on Forms of Action
  • Parties to Actions and Joinder of Actions
  • The Plaintiff’s First Pleading
  • General Rules of Pleading
  • The Defenses to an Action
  • Defendant’s Pleading & Rules Governing Them
  • The Plaintiff’s Second Pleading
  • Closing of Issues & Judgment
  • Beginning Suit
  • Preliminary Motions
  • Non-Jury Cases
  • Jury Trials
  • Opening Statements – Excluding Witnesses
  • Depositions
  • Examinations of Witnesses
  • Charging the Jury
  • Verdicts
  • Entering Judgment
  • Appeals
  • Introduction to Criminal Procedure
  • Jurisdiction & Venue
  • Preliminary Proceedings
  • Indictments
  • Procedure Between Indictment & Trial
  • The Trial
  • Steps After the Trial

Unit 7 - Wills and Trusts

  • Introduction & Classification
  • Descent
  • Distribution
  • Wills Defined
  • Origin, History & Nature of Wills
  • Capacities of Testators & Beneficiaries
  • Execution of Wills
  • Revocation of Wills
  • Republication & Revival
  • Lapsed & Void Legacies & Devises
  • Ademption
  • Probate of Wills
    • Administration of Estates
    • Guardian & Ward
    • History of Trusts
    • Trusts Distinguished From Other Relationships
    • Creation of Express Trusts
    • Creation of Implied Trusts
    • Private Trusts
    • Public Trusts
    • Trustee – Appointment, Qualifications & Powers
    • Trustee – Duties, Rights, Liabilities & Removal
    • Beneficiary – Rights & Liabilities
    • Beneficiary – His Remedies

Unit 8 - Partnerships & Corporations

  • Legal Conception of Corporation
  • Formation of Corporations
  • Irregularly & Defectively Organized Corporations
  • Promotion of Corporations
  • Subscribers & Stock Subscriptions
  • Corporation & State
  • Corporate Powers
  • Ultra Vires Transactions
  • Corporate Crimes & Torts
  • Directors
  • Corporate Membership
  • Rights of Stockholders
  • Corporate Creditors
  • Foreign Corporations
  • Partnerships – Characteristics
  • Creation of Partnership
  • Name & Property of Partnership
  • Partnership Liability
  • Duties of Partners
  • Remedies of Creditors
  • Actions Between Partners
  • Action Between Partners & Third Persons
  • Termination of Partnership

Unit 9 - Constitutional Law – Part I

  • Constitutions, Their Nature & Law
  • American Constitutions & Constitutional Law
  • Organization & Powers of United States Government
  • Relations Between Union & the States
  • Powers of President
  • Powers of Congress

Unit 10 - Constitutional Law – Part II

  • Constitution as a Bill of Rights
  • Political Privileges & Their Protection
  • Civil Rights & Their Guaranties
  • Protection of Person Accused of a Crime
  • Due Process of Law
  • Equal Protections of Law
  • Impairment of Obligation of Contracts
  • The Constitution of the United States

Unit 11 - Legal Research and Writing – Part I

  • Introduction to the Law and the U.S. Legal System
  • Primary Sources
  • Secondary Sources
  • Computer-Assisted Legal Research
  • Conducting Legal Research
  • Updating and Verifying Legal Research
  • Legal Analysis
Graded Assignment 01: Shepardizing

Unit 12 - Legal Research and Writing – Part II

  • Introduction to Legal Writing
  • Writing Legal Letters
  • Legal Research Memorandums
  • Trial Court Legal Memorandums
  • Appellate Briefs
Graded Assignment 02: Demand Letter
Graded Assignment 03: Legal Research Memorandum
Graded Assignment 04: Q & A Appellate

Unit 13 - How to Find a Job as a Paralegal

  • The Paralegal Profession
  • The Job Search
  • Job-Search Correspondence
  • Job Interviews
  • Succeeding on the Job
Graded Assignment 05: Resumé
Graded Assignment 06: Cover Letter

Unit 14 - Ethics for Paralegals

  • Tasks of a Paralegal
  • Attorney vs. Paralegal Responsibilities
  • Certification and Licensing
  • Freelance and Independent Paralegals
  • Confidentiality, Ethical Walls, and Screening
  • Integrity of the Paralegal Profession
  • ABA Model Guidelines
  • NALA Model Guidelines
  • NALA Code of Ethics
  • NFPA Code of Ethics
  • NALS Code of Ethics

Meet Your Paralegal Certificate Instructor

Jeffrey Hauck, Paralegal Consultant

JD, CPO, CII, LPI

Mr. Hauck holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree (J.D.) from Widener University School of Law where he graduated from the Law and Government Institute with a concentration in Constitutional and Administrative Law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) in Criminal Justice from DeSales University. Mr. Hauck is a retired Municipal Police Supervisor and is a Licensed Private Detective. In addition to his position as CPO Mr. Hauck holds a Commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army and is the Company Commander for a USAR CBRN Unit. Through HRM Mr. Hauck has consulted with hundreds of clients providing competent paralegal/legal-assistant services either by working with contracted counsel or in-house counsel necessary to the achievement of their individual planned success. Mr. Hauck understands that the law affects nearly every decision and action businesses and individuals pursue on a daily basis. As such he knows that a skilled paralegal professional can make the difference between success and failure in the legal and/or corporate environment.

Mr. Hauck has been certified as a police academy instructor and as a law enforcement trainer. He has been a Professor of Criminal Justice since 2005. In addition Mr. Hauck has been recognized as a qualified expert witness in the Pennsylvania State Court System. He is an author and has been published several times in the Administrative Law Journal of the PA Bar Association (among others). Mr. Hauck is certified in many law enforcement disciplines such as police firearms training, close quarters combat, and defensive and control tactics. He holds Shodan rank in Karate and is proponent of self-defense and situational awareness.

Mr. Hauck maintains or has held membership in numerous professional organizations such as the American Bar Association, Police Executive Research Forum, American Society for Law Enforcement Trainers, Council of International Investigators, American Society of Industrial Security, and others.

Mr. Hauck is an active volunteer in his community counseling various veterans organizations. He donates time and resources to the Child Rescue Network in Orlando, FL. His leisure activities include spending time with his wife and family, chauffeuring kids to sports and functions, attempting to cook in the kitchen and on the grill, reading multiple books at one time, and generally pursing balance in a hectic modern world.

We are here to help you

Upon enrollment in Blackstone’s Online Paralegal Certificate Program, students will receive their instructor’s information. For additional support, our student service center is available Mon-Fri to assist students. Simply call 800.826.9228 or email info@blackstone.edu.

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online Paralegal Certificate Program

Material Included in Your Paralegal Program

Blackstone’s Modern American Law Series

Included in your Paralegal program is Blackstone’s Modern American Law Series, developed by legal scholars and designed to provide a simple yet authoritative commentary on the law. These e-volumes provide students with the material needed to build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the law including but not limited to, the rules of law, their origin, nature and growth. Averaging 155 pages per volume with almost 2,150 total pages, this fourteen-volume set is a valuable lifelong reference for our Paralegal graduates.

Open The Book

paralegal book 1

Material Included in Your Paralegal Program

How to Find a Job as a Paralegal Study Unit

This unit provides students with vital information needed to begin a career in the Paralegal field. Candidates learn about the various legal work environments and specialty areas in which paralegals are in demand. In addition, there is crucial information about starting your job search after graduation, guidelines for writing an effective resumé, cover letter writing, interview preparation and tips for succeeding on the job are presented in this unit.

Open The Book

online paralegal diploma program

Material Included in Your Paralegal Program

Ethics for Paralegals Study Unit

This unit covers the evolution of the paralegal profession; job responsibilities; confidentiality, conduct, and ethics; working as a freelance or independent paralegal; and lifelong learning.

Open The Book

Never pay out of pocket for your books. With Blackstone, all material is included. See details below!

online Paralegal Certificate Program

Blackstone Modern American Law Series

Included in your Paralegal program is Blackstone’s Modern American Law Series, developed by legal scholars and designed to provide a simple yet authoritative commentary on the law. These volumes provide students with the material needed to build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the law including but not limited to, the rules of law,their origin, nature and growth. Averaging 155 pages per volume with almost 2,150 total pages, this fourteen – volume set is a valuable lifelong reference for our Paralegal Certificate graduates.

Blackstone Law Glossary

This glossary provides Paralegal Certificate students with concise definitions of legal terms and phrases that a paralegal is likely to encounter, plus the phonetic pronunciation of words—an invaluable tool for the Paralegal Blackstone student.

Legal Research and Writing - Part 1 Study Unit

This unit provides a solid foundation in legal research, covering an introduction to the U.S. legal system; primary and secondary sources; computer-assisted legal research; conducting, updating and verifying legal research; and legal analysis. In conjunction, students will receive access to LexisAdvance®.

Legal Research and Writing - Part 2 Study Unit

Building on the information presented in PartI, this unit focuses on the skills necessary when learning how to become aParalegal. Students will learnhow to perform on-the-job professional legal writing, along with the preparation of legal letters, legalresearch memorandums, trial court legal memorandums, and appellate briefs.

Lexis Advance Student Membership

11 online training sessions unlock the potential of the research tools available at lexis.com®
-Shepard’s® Citations Service

Verify the status of federal case law, case law from all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, regulations,
and state constitutional provisions, and more

-Search by Headnote

Find an entire overview on a topic, including in-depth case discussions

-LexisNexis® Total Litigator

Presents sources used to accomplish the tasks involved in the litigation process

-Counsel Selector

Find lawyer/law firm profiles, including peer review ratings and transactional activity

paralegal book 1

How to Find a Job as a Paralegal Study Unit

This unit provides students with vital information needed to begin a career in the Paralegal field. Candidates learn about the various legal work environments and specialty areas in which paralegals are in demand. In addition, there is crucial information about starting your job search after obtaining your Paralegal Certificate, guidelines for writing an effective resumé, cover letter writing, interview preparation and tips for succeeding on the job are presented in this unit.

online paralegal diploma program

Ethics for Paralegals Study Unit

This unit covers the evolution of the paralegal profession; job responsibilities; confidentiality, conduct, and ethics; working as a freelance or independent paralegal; and lifelong learning.

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Paralegal Resources

Network and enhance your professional knowledge. Find sites and organizations that specifically relate to paralegal careers. Learn how to become a paralegal today!

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State Licensure

It is important to check with the state licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state you plan to work in

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