LGST 320 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is a study of the substantive and procedural sides of the criminal justice system. UMGC lists LGST 201 as the prerequisite.
The objective is to apply professional conduct rules to develop ethical strategies, research law and draft legal writings supporting either the prosecution or the defense of crimes. That means you must be able to argue both sides of a case from the same set of facts.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | LGST 320 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | LGST 201 |
| Credit note | Credit may be received for only one of LGST 320 or PLGL 320 |
| Typical work | Fact-pattern analysis, legal research and writing for prosecution or defense (check your syllabus) |
What LGST 320 Covers
| Topic (UMGC) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Crimes and defenses | The elements of offenses and the arguments that can defeat or reduce liability |
| Penalties | Sentencing and the consequences of conviction |
| Court procedures | The path of a criminal case from charge to resolution |
| Ethical strategy | Applying professional conduct rules to both prosecution and defense work |
Key Concepts Explained
Elements of an Offense
A crime generally has a physical act, a required mental state and often a result or circumstance. The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. A defense analysis looks for the weakest element.
Illustration (invented facts): A defendant takes a bag from a table, believing it is their own. Whether this is theft turns on the mental element, such as intent to deprive the owner. A defense analysis would focus on that belief, and a prosecution analysis on evidence that undermines it.
Defenses
Defenses fall into groups: those that negate an element (such as mistake), justifications (such as self-defense) and excuses (such as insanity or duress). Each has its own requirements that differ by jurisdiction.
Criminal Procedure
Procedure covers arrest, charging, bail, discovery, pretrial motions, trial, sentencing and appeal. Constitutional protections shape each stage. Knowing the stage tells you which rule applies to a given question.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Fact-pattern analysis | Elements and defenses | List possible charges, apply each element and consider defenses |
| Prosecution or defense memo | Advocacy from a stated side | Present the strongest honest case and deal with the other side's points |
| Procedure exercise | Knowing the stages | Match each event to the correct stage and rule |
| Ethics scenario | Applying professional conduct rules | Name the duty and recommend a compliant approach |
Building Both Sides from the Same Facts
The catalog refers to supporting the prosecution or the defense, so practice writing the other side's best case. The table shows one way to organize it.
| Element or issue | Prosecution argument | Defense argument |
|---|---|---|
| Act | Evidence that the act occurred and who did it | Gaps or reliability problems in that evidence |
| Mental state | Inferences from conduct and statements | Mistake, lack of intent or an innocent explanation |
| Defenses | Why the defense does not meet its requirements | Facts that satisfy each requirement |
| Procedure | The proper conduct of each stage | Any breach of procedural rules or protections |
Whichever side you are assigned, mention the strongest point on the other side and respond to it. That shows the ethical and strategic awareness the objective describes.
Worked Example: Testing the Mental Element
Invented facts: A person takes an umbrella from a stand outside a restaurant, believing it is theirs. It belongs to someone else.
Prosecution: the taking is clear; argue that a careful person would have noticed the difference. Defense: a genuine mistake negates the required intent to deprive the owner of the property.
The point of the exercise is that the same facts support different arguments depending on the mental element required. Check how your jurisdiction defines the offense and whether a mistake must be reasonable.
Do not forget the penalty side of the course. After liability, say what penalty range or consequence could follow under the law you are applying, and note any factors that might change it.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Skipping the mental element. Do not stop at the act; address intent or recklessness.
- One-sided answers. The course expects you to see both prosecution and defense perspectives.
- Mixing up substantive and procedural law. Decide which question the problem is asking.
- Ignoring ethics. Prosecutors and defense lawyers have distinct duties.
Study Tips for LGST 320
- Make an element chart for each major offense you study.
- Pair each offense with its most common defenses.
- Draw a flowchart of a criminal case from arrest to appeal.
- Practice writing the same facts once for each side.
How We Help with LGST 320
Send the facts, instructions and rubric. A writer can prepare a custom analysis, explain the elements and procedure, or review your draft. For wider support, see our criminal justice assignment help guide.
GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid; use it to learn the method, then complete and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late.
Break Criminal Law into Elements
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Frequently Asked Questions
UMGC lists LGST 201.
UMGC's objective refers to legal writings supporting the prosecution or defense of crimes, so you should be ready for either.
Crimes and defenses, penalties and court procedures.
UMGC says credit may be received for only one of LGST 320 or PLGL 320.
Identify the charge, set out the elements, apply the facts, consider defenses and state a conclusion.
Yes. Send the facts and your draft; we check element analysis, structure and citations.