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LAW10260

Academic Year 2025/2026

Criminal Procedure (LAW10260)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Niamh Howlin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module examines the various steps in the life-cycle of a criminal trial.

It introduces the various state agencies and actors who play a role in the criminal process, including the police, the prosecutor, the judge and the jury. As well as pre-trial procedures such as bail and the decision to prosecute, students will consider the rights of persons who are arrested and accused of crimes. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the criminal trial and the principles which underpin it (including the presumption of innocence).

This is an introductory module and no prior knowledge of law or criminal processes is required. This module is designed using principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and includes guest lectures by external experts working in the criminal justice system.

** Penultimate and final year Law students are not permitted to register to this module as their in programme or Horizons elective.**

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the Irish legal system as it relates to crime;
Understand the various stages in the life-cycle of a criminal case;
Discuss the roles played by different state agencies and actors in the criminal process;
Understand the rights of persons accused of criminal offences;
Find and read relevant primary legal materials such as the Constitution, legislation and case law.

Indicative Module Content:

The life cycle of a criminal trial;
The rights of persons accused of crime;
The bail process;
The decision to prosecute;
The role of lawyers in the criminal process;
The presumption of innocence;
The jury trial;
Delay in the criminal process;
Sentencing and appeals.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

65
Total

113

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
There are weekly in-person lectures from 9.00 am– 11.00 am on Fridays in the Sutherland School of Law.
Lectures in criminal procedure will be interactive in nature, and students will be expected to contribute to class discussion and activities. Lecture slides will be provided to students in advance. Reading lists will be posted on Brightspace, along with other resources such as podcasts, videos, articles and useful websites.

Students on this module are expected to have read and understood the UCD Academic Integrity Policy and the School Protocol on Academic Integrity. Students must ensure that they comply with all requirements laid down therein and avoid academic misconduct. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence, or other machine learning technology, in their learning and in completing assessments on this module.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End-of-trimester written exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
70
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 3 x Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Short quiz on Brightspace Week 7, Week 9, Week 11 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

On this module, feedback is available in several formats: Individual or group feedback on in-class activities and discussions; Individual feedback on the Brightspace quizzes throughout the trimester; Individual feedback during student office hours; Group feedback on the final exam.

Name Role
Mr Michael Staines Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
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