Criminal Law: Principles and Processes unit (LAW229)

Hobart

Introduction

In the first half of this unit you will examine the criminal justice system in its theoretical, historical, political and social context. This will entail understanding the agencies and processes involved in criminal justice – from initial complaint, police investigation, and prosecution all the way through to sentencing and imprisonment. You will consider limitations of the criminal justice system in dealing with vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Australians, young people, people with mental illnesses, and victims of sexual offences. Students will analyse options for criminal law reform, particularly those in Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. With this foundation, the unit then introduces you to the fundamental principles of criminal responsibility that govern criminal trials. You will study the detail of particular crimes – including assault, grievous bodily harm, trespass, arson and motor vehicle theft, as well as certain defences, such as intoxication and self defence. Underlying these topics is an analysis of what the criminal law calls mens rea, or the guilty mind, and the principle of coincidence of act and intent. In practical problem-solving exercises you will determine the guilt or innocence of fictitious characters involved in hypothetical scenarios.

Summary

Unit name	Criminal Law: Principles and Processes
Unit code	LAW229
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law
Coordinator	Professor Jeremy Prichard
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Examine and evaluate the principles of criminal law, and the social context in which the criminal law operates
• Critically appraise the social and international context of criminal laws and develop options for law reform
• Discuss criminal procedure and the importance of the rights of the defendant, suspect or detainee
• Recall and summarise legal definitions, the outcomes of court cases, and the facts that need to be proven to establish guilt for different criminal offences
• Select relevant legal principles and cases and apply them appropriately in problem solving exercises involving hypothetical factual situations

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090905	$2,174.00	$1,703.00	not applicable	$2,249.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

50 credit points of Introductory Law core

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Lectures commence in week 1 and conclude in Week 12. All lectures are recorded. Seminars commence in Week 1 and conclude in Week 11.
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Essay (30%)|Assessment Task 2: Assignment (30%)|Assessment Task 3: Examination (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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