What is a criminal defense? A criminal defense is used when you have committed a crime, but you have a reason that you are either not responsible for your actions (insanity, intoxication, etc.) or you have a justification or excuse for your actions (self-defense, defense of others, consent, etc.). 

Many people believe that if you claim insanity as a defense, you can go free. But is that what really happens? That's just one of the things you will learn in this class.

I will provide a discussion outline that has mini-case studies on it that will help students work through these concepts. I will accompany the discussion outline with a powerpoint presentation. There will be brief points where I teach on concepts, but students will be expected to pause the video, try out the fact patterns (story problems), then listen to my explanations.