LAW 7934 - California Street Gangs

Prerequisite, LAW 7142. This class will study the statutes of the “Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act of 1988” [STEP] (criminalizing active gang participation) from a legal and practical standpoint. Besides an in-depth understanding of this expansive and ever-changing area of jurisprudence in California, the course will provide an analysis of how gang-related felonies proceed through California courts. It will include study of the complicated and frequently used theories of extended criminal liability used by prosecutors including conspiracy, aiding and abetting, natural and probable consequence theory and provocative-act murder. A study of selected evidence code sections and related case law will be included to facilitate an understanding of issues, as well as, common problems of proof at every gang trial. The use of guest speakers and selected autobiographical readings will provide context to this otherwise counter-intuitive culture of violence and respect. Pre-Requisites: Criminal Law and Evidence. This course is an approved elective for the Criminal Law certificate. This course will satisfy the Practice Oriented Writing Requirement. Letter grade. 2 credits