LA-010 - Introduction to Law, Legal Research, the Constitution, and Ethics

This course provides an introduction to law, legal research, constitutional law, and legal ethics while helping students build the foundational skills necessary to succeed in legal specialty courses and in professional careers. The course includes an overview of constitutional law and court systems, a survey of legal ethics, an introduction to legal research methods, and an examination of current careers for legal professionals. Course objectives include the development of a working knowledge of the legal system, acquisition of basic legal research skills, and an understanding of current ethical guidelines in the law.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-011 - Overview of Contracts, Property, and Tort Law

This course provides an essential overview of the three main areas of civil law: contracts, property, and tort law. Students will learn the legal requirements of valid contracts and the functions of commonly used provisions as they gain experience drafting and customizing various contracts. Students will also receive an introduction to property law, including the basic concepts involved in the ownership and use of personal property and real property. The class will also cover the fundamentals of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability torts, and the policies and procedures of a personal injury law office.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 0

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-014 - Civil Litigation

This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental principles and preparation of civil cases for trial. Students will learn how to access and utilize appropriate Judicial Council forms, draft pleadings and motions, conduct pre-trial discovery, prepare trial notebooks, and handle other responsibilities that are typical for paralegals in a litigation-oriented law office.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-016 - California Courts and Litigation Practice

This course serves as an introduction to courts of law in this state, including the California Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, Superior Courts, and California-based federal District Courts. The course covers the structure, institutions, jurisdiction, and rules of the court system. In addition, students will gain practical knowledge of the various stages of litigation practice that involve the courts, including the filing of cases, preparation of court documents, proper use of discovery, and readiness for trial.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 0

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-020 - Legal Technology and Software

This course gives students a thorough overview of technology used in the law office. Students will learn how legal assistants/paralegals can use computer systems and legal software applications to make their jobs easier and improve their value to employers. Topics include word processing, spreadsheets, and databases for the law office; timekeeping and billing; case management/calendaring/docket control; litigation support; computer-assisted legal research; electronic court filing and service of process; courtroom presentation graphics; and specialized legal software. Students will complete online research assignments and use demonstration models of a variety of legal software applications.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Prerequisite: LA 010, with grade of C or better. And, BIS 091 or CIT 010, with grade of C or better, or concurrent enrollment in BIS 091 or CIT 010.

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 0

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-033 - Tort and Personal Injury Law

This course prepares the student to assist attorneys and corporations in tort and personal injury law. Students gain substantive knowledge of tort law and will be trained in the use of specific forms and procedures utilized in personal injury work. Course content includes intentional torts, negligence, professional malpractice, causation, proximate cause, strict liabilities, employer’s liability, nuisance, misrepresentation, product liability, and complex litigation.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 1

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-036 - Real Estate and Property Law

This course covers real property law, purchase and sales agreements, mortgages, leases, easements, deeds, closing and recordings of documents, and title searches. Emphasis will be placed upon interpreting the law, drafting and recording documents related to real property law.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-038 - Family Law

This course covers the substantive law in the area of family law and domestic relations. Subjects covered will include dissolution of marriage, adoptions, guardianship, child/spousal/family support, child custody, and paternity. The class will train the student in the skills necessary to work as a paralegal in the area of family law. Content will include the use of Judicial Council forms, the preparation of pleadings, drafting of declaration, preparation of Income and Expense Declaration Form, the drafting of property settlement agreements, and the use of interviewing checklists.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 1

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-040 - Criminal Law

This course provides the student with a comprehensive understanding of the provisions of criminal law and procedure. Content includes the criminal court system and how it functions, the criminal justice system from arrest to trial and sentencing, elements of and defenses to all major crimes, and an overview of criminal procedure from the arrest through the appeal.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-042 - Corporate and Partnership Law

This course provides students with a general understanding of the various legal structures of businesses and the laws governing business transactions. Students learn the basic laws of corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and modern limited liability entities. The course will emphasize finding and utilizing proper business forms and drafting appropriate documents related to the creation and operation of the various business organizations.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-044 - Intellectual Property Law

This course introduces students to the expanding field of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Course content will include patents, trade protection, semiconductor chip protection, Section 43(a) false advertising, unfair competition, publicity rights, and idea submission. For each major specialty area, coverage will also include: The nature of the protected right, what is protected, the requirements for protection, who may be protected, the duration of protection ownership, transfer of ownership, infringement, and remedies.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-046 - Immigration Law

Students will study basic immigration law for paralegals. This is a hands-on approach to identification of people eligible to immigrate, types of visas, citizenship eligibility and application, and special conditions. Course topics include United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) structure, procedures, and filings; factual, country, and legal research; and immigration case management and technology.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-050 - Constitutional Law

This course is designed to present a basic understanding of the U. S. Constitution, from its development to present-day applications. Topics covered include: the formation of the 3 branches of government, state's rights and responsibilities, and the rights afforded individual citizens such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to privacy. The course also covers the rights of persons accused of a crime, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and subsequent statutes.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math: 0

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-071 - Legal Research

This course provides the student with a working knowledge of the essential techniques used to research legal issues. Students will learn to find, select, and begin utilizing appropriate sources of law in the library and in the online LEXIS and WESTLAW databases. The course covers primary sources of law such as federal and state constitutions, statutes, cases, and regulations, as well as secondary sources that include legal dictionaries, encyclopedias, digests, summaries, and articles. Students will learn how to update statute and case law using the Shepard's and KeyCite citators. The course will include basic legal analysis and writing assignments which draw upon research results.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Prerequisite: LA 010, with grade of C or better.

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-072 - Legal Analysis and Writing

This course provides students with advanced skills training in legal analysis, legal writing, and the use of electronic legal research using databases like WESTLAW and LEXIS. Students will be presented with complex legal problems and will learn how to analyze them using the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion). Students will learn to present their legal analyses in professional quality written documents, including trial court pleadings, research memoranda, motions, client opinion letters, demand letters, and more.

Units: 3

Lecture Hours: 3 |  Lab Hours: None |  Repeatable: No |  Grading: L

Prerequisite: LA 010, with C or better

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS

LA-138 - Work Experience

Occupational Work Experience is designed for students who work or volunteer in a field related to their career major. Students are required to provide evidence that they are enrolled in a career program (e.g., education plan or coursework in a career/occupational subject area). Students can earn one unit of credit for each 60 hours of unpaid volunteer time or 75 hours of paid work during the semester. Students can repeat Career/Occupational Work Experience, combined with General Work Experience, or alone, up to a maximum of 16 units. Internship/job placement is not guaranteed.

Units: 1 - 8

Lecture Hours: None |  Lab Hours: 1.81 |  Repeatable: 15 |  Grading: O

Corequisite: Be employed or a volunteer at an approved work-site for the minimum number of hours per unit as stipulated for paid and unpaid status.

Advisory Level  —   Read: 3   |  Write: 3  | Math:

Transfer Status: CSU |  Degree Applicable: AA/AS