Paralegal

PLEG 101

Introduction to Law & Legal Practice

2 Credit(s) Offered Fall Semester
This course is an introduction to the American and Idaho legal institutions and processes. It examines the sources of law, the relationships between the federal and state court systems, legal reasoning, ethical standards, and the role of the paralegal. This course is a required course in the Paralegal and Legal Administrative Assistant programs.

Lecture: 2 hours per week



PLEG 103

Criminal Procedures

2 Credit(s) Offered Fall Semester
This course will introduce students to the process by which the criminally accused is dealt with by the State. The fundamental rights of citizens will be examined in detail, including freedom from unreasonable search and seizures, the right to counsel, and due process. This course is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 2 hours per week



PLEG 105

Civil Procedures

3 Credit(s) Offered Each Semester
Civil procedures is a course designed to teach students the steps necessary to institute and advance a civil lawsuit from the initial client interview through trial. Emphasis is placed on drafting documents instrumental in a civil lawsuit as well as understanding the process. This is a required course in the Paralegal and Legal Administrative Assistant programs.

Lecture: 3 hours per week



PLEG 125

Contracts

3 Credit(s) Offered Spring Semester
This course is a study of contract law as found in the Common Law and Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Code. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 101


PLEG 135

Torts

3 Credit(s) Offered Spring Semester
This course examines the principles of civil wrongs and liabilities (torts) including causes of action from negligence, industrial injuries, and professional malpractice. The course addresses fault and without-fault actions, strict liability, and intentional torts. Defenses and damages are also explored. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisites: PLEG 101


PLEG 201

Legal Ethics

1 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is a survey of ethics as applied to the legal profession. The Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Judicial Ethics are used to examine the boundaries of authorized practice, confidentiality, and delegation of authority. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 1 hour per week



PLEG 205

Law Office Management

1 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is an overview of procedures for managing a law office. Emphasis is placed on various structures and their organization, legal fees, timekeeping, billing, and docket control systems. Specific management topics include financial, records, file, and library management. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 1 hour per week



PLEG 210

Legal Research and Writing

4 Credit(s) Offered Fall Semester
This course is an introduction to legal resource materials and methodology. Research skills are developed through law library research and drafting assignments. Emphasis is placed on the use of the legal database and on effective communication of research results through the drafting and preparation of legal documents and instruments. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Lab: 2 hours per week
Prerequisites: PLEG 101 and ENGL 101


PLEG 220

Legal Research and Writing II

4 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is a continuation of PLEG 210 with emphasis on the further development of research techniques. Discussion topics include administrative and executive agency research, legislative research, non-legal reference materials, and loose-leaf services. Advanced processes in drafting and preparation of legal documents and instruments are emphasized. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Lab: 2 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 210


PLEG 230

Evidence

3 Credit(s) Offered Fall Semester
This course includes an examination of the statutory and case law regarding judicial methods of proof, the hearsay rule, materiality, presumptions, and relevancy. This is a required course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 101 and PLEG 105


PLEG 240

Real Estate and Property Law

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course explores the law of real property including types of real estate transactions and conveyances, forms and procedures, document recording, and title searches. Topics include deeds, contracts, deeds of trust, joint ventures, lease and rental agreements, mortgages, legal descriptions, liens and encumbrances, zoning and covenants, appraisals, titles, and foreclosure. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week



PLEG 245

Estate and Probate Practices and Procedures

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is an introduction to the laws, practices, and procedures involving trusts, wills, guardianships, property transfer, and probate. It includes estate and inheritance taxation and estate planning. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 101 and PLEG 105


PLEG 250

Family Law

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is a study of the Idaho laws and procedures. Discussion topics include marriage and dissolution of marriage; child custody, visitation, and support; adoptions; domestic violence, and property rights. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 101 and PLEG 105


PLEG 255

Administrative Law

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is a review of federal and state administrative laws. Discussion topics include administrative agencies, administrative law procedures, the use of expert witnesses, evidence, constitutional and judicial limits, and judicial review. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week



PLEG 260

Criminal Law

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is an exploration of the criminal justice system including the application of Idaho laws. Discussion topics include a study of the definition of a crime; institution of criminal action; defenses to criminal accusation; the court process; negotiated and formal pleadings; constitutional safeguards; and sentencing and probation. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 101, PLEG 103, PLEG 105


PLEG 265

Business Organizations

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the formation and operation of business enterprises, focusing on sole proprietorship, general and limited partnerships, limited liability company, and the business corporation. Students will be introduced to the advantages of each form of business enterprise and will learn how to draft various business-related documents. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week



PLEG 270

Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is an examination of bankruptcy laws and proceedings. Discussion topics include attachments, collection, executions, garnishment, liquidation, and reorganization. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program.

Lecture: 3 hours per week



PLEG 290

Paralegal Internship I

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course provides a practical application of paralegal skills in a law office or law-related office. There are approximately nine hours per week of supervised work in the office to add breadth and depth to the student’s paralegal experiences. The course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. This is a required course in the Paralegal program. Instructor permission required.

In-Office Work: 9 hours per week
Prerequisites: CAOT-213, CAOT-214, CAOT-215, PLEG-101, PLEG-105, PLEG-201, PLEG-205, and PLEG-210 with a minimum grade of C-.


PLEG 291

Paralegal Internship II

3 Credit(s) Offered on Demand
This course is a continuation of PLEG 290. This course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. This is an elective course in the Paralegal program. Instructor permission is required.

In-Office Work: 9 hours per week
Prerequisite: PLEG 290