LEGL 133 - Introduction to the Law

Objectives: Introduce students to the values and responsibilities of the legal profession, which include the importance of competency to professionally responsible representation and the obligation of lawyers as well as the basic tenants of the legal field. Outcomes: Explain the doctrine of stare decisis. Identify and understand the sources and bodies of law. Understand the differences between criminal and civil law, state and federal laws, private and public laws and procedural and substantive laws. Know the basic formula for analyzing a statute. Understand the anatomy of a simple trial. Understand the functions of the main participants including the judge, witnesses, jury, attorneys and paralegals. Understand the basic legal construct of original, appellate, concurrent, and pendent jurisdictions. Understand diversity and federal question jurisdiction.