Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed to give a broad overview of federal constitutional, statutory and case law regarding Fourth Amendment rights for individuals suspected or accused of committing crimes. Students will be given an opportunity to judge the effectiveness and fairness of such law as it relates to police authority, society and the defendant. Oregon law specifically will be examined through the use of the Oregon Criminal Code, the Oregon Constitution and current case law.

This course is a requirement for the completion of a degree in the Criminal Justice Program at Portland Community College. Course work may include, but is not limited to, the use of texts, the Criminal Code of Oregon, journal articles, lecture, group discussion and activities, videos, guest speakers, field trips, community volunteer work and student projects and presentations. 

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Assess whether government conduct implicates the Fourth Amendment.
• Evaluate the permissible level of interference with an individual's liberty during police investigations.
• Determine whether a search or seizure is unreasonable by applying constitutional law.

Assessment may include informal responses to study questions, class presentations, written tests, online tests, group discussion, in-class and out of class writing.

This course will address topics including, but not limited to: 

• Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
• Article 1", Section 9 of the Oregon Constitution
• Stops and Arrests
• Frisks and Searches
• Warrant Requirement
• Exceptions to the Warrant Requirement
• Vehicle Searches
• The Exclusionary Rule