Course Descriptions: PARALEGAL

LEGL 249 INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM
Units (Letter grade) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: An overview of the U.S. legal system, introduces the procedural and substantive areas of law taught in the paralegal program, as well as constitutional law, comparative law, and methods of legal analysis. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 250 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
Units (Letter grade) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 110; Prerequisite(s): Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in LEGL 249. Description: The student is introduced to reading and briefing legal cases and the principles of legal writing. Students also learn the differences between 1) primary and secondary sources, 2) title and court records, and 3) county, state, and specialization law libraries, and specialized libraries. Other topics included in the course are organization and management of an office law library, cite checking, and preparation of bibliographies. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 251 TORTS
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249. Description: Study of the various torts that make up the substantive law of torts. The topics included are the basis of tort liability, the elements of actionable torts, remedies, and procedures. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 252 CIVIL LITIGATION AND TRIAL PREPARATION
Units (Letter grade) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249. Description: Introduction to the basis of trial practice and civil litigation procedures. Students learn how to prepare pleadings and motions, complete discovery and fact investigations, identify pretrial considerations, preserve facts and prepare for trial, and complete post-trial motions and appeals. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 254 FAMILY LAW
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in LEGL 249, or equivalent. Description: Student learns legal principles and practical matters on starting a family law case, dissolving marital status, the court process, child and spousal support, child custody and visitation, and the characterization and division of marital property. Students prepare several family law pleadings used in a family law case. Course is combined with lectures and projects. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 255 CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESS ENTITIES
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in LEGL 249. Description: Basic orientation to business organizations involving sole proprietorships and partnerships. Procedures followed for qualifying a foreign corporation in California are discussed as well. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 257 BANKRUPTCY
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in LEGL 249. Description: Overview of the bankruptcy court, administration of bankrupt estates by receivers and trustees, and the preparation of voluntary cases. Students learn to apply the analytical skills needed to assist attorneys in preparing bankruptcy petitions and other documents. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 260 ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249 and 250. Description: Students develop and refine legal research and writing skills by preparing a series of projects which include legal documents for court cases filed by attorneys. Included is the efficient use of law libraries. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 262 PARALEGALISM AND STUDY OF LEGAL ETHICS
Units (Letter grade) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 110; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249. Description: Major aspects and issues of the paralegal profession, skills of a paralegal, and legal ethics. Topics include new careers in law, paralegal employment, the regulation of paralegals, legal analysis, interviewing, investigation in a law office, and formal and informal advocacy with administrative agencies. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 264 CONTRACTS
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249. Description: Study of the theory and practice of contract law. Students learn to create contracts and identify contract breaches provided for by law. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 268 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 249. Description: Fundamentals of the administrative law system--how it developed, what it is intended to do, and how it works. Federal cases; issues in administrative law such as those that apply to tax, welfare, and environmental law; workers’ compensation and social security are examined also. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 274 ADVANCED FAMILY LAW PROJECTS
Units (Grade Option) 3; Class Hours: Minimum of 48 lecture hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 110; Prerequisite(s): LEGL 254. Description: Overview of the skills needed to prepare documents and forms commonly found in family law (divorce) matters. Potential examples are petitions, responses, orders to show cause, responsive declarations, income and expense declarations, pretrial statements, disclosure statements, discovery judgments, marital settlement agreements, and support calculations. Transfer: CSU.

LEGL 276 ELECTRONIC LITIGATION
Units (Grade Option) 2; Class Hours: Minimum of 32 lecture/16 by arrangement lab hours/semester; Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100; Prerequisite(s): None. Description: This survey course provides an overview of the ways in which law firms and libraries increasingly use the This course teaches prospective paralegals how to use PC/Windows based computers, peripherals, software and the Internet in a law office environment. Since all federal courts and many state courts now handle litigation electronically (online and with computers), the course covers the functions of PC computers and the use of main or core PC software and programs that law firms use in daily operations and in litigation. Also, learn about the power of the Internet, (troubleshooting, backup programs, online filing, research, etc.), and using the Internet in litigation (investigation, evidence gathering, accessing the courts, etc.). Transfer: CSU.

Updated: 7/6/11