Paralegal Studies

PLG 105 - Civil Procedure (3 credits)

This course will focus on providing students with an overview of the litigation process. Students will acquire a basic understanding of legal principles with a focus on practical legal skills, including the preparation of legal documents and working with both attorneys and clients throughout the legal process. Students will become familiar with the Practice Book and have a working knowledge of various legal forms.

PLG 110 - Technology in Law (3 credits)

The course will focus on teaching paralegals about the use of computers in legal organizations. Subjects to be explored include: introduction to computers, computer hardware and software, programs for word processing, spreadsheets and databases, timekeeping and billing programs, case management and docket control, discovery and litigation support, the internet, legal research, and presentation graphics.

PLG 210 - Legal Research and Writing (3 credits)

This course will focus on the essential skills of legal research, writing, and analysis. Students will learn to use the traditional book-based methods of legal research as well as electronic research systems such as Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.

PLG 211 - Criminal Law (3 credits)

This course will focus on an overview of the criminal justice system. Topics include: legal principles, practical legal skills, legal terms, and concepts. Students will examine the role of the paralegal in the criminal justice system from both the prosecution and defense perspectives.

PLG 301 - Legal Ethics & Prof Responsibility (3 credits)

This course will focus on the philosophical and practical issues, guidelines, and problems in legal ethics. Students will develop a basic understanding of the professional codes of conduct and the laws governing the ethical behavior of legal professionals. Specific areas to be covered will include: unauthorized practice of law, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and privilege, proper handling of client funds, referral fees and fee splitting arrangements, retainer agreements and billing, attorney/firm advertising rules, disciplinary procedures, and malpractice. Prerequisite(s): ENG 101, ENG 102.

PLG 314 - Real Estate Law (3 credits)

This course will focus on exploring property ownership and rights, as well as navigating the real estate transaction from contract through the eventual sale of the property. Prerequisite(s): ENG 101, ENG 102.

PLG 320 - Family Law (3 credits)

This course will focus on a survey of basic family law proceedings and the nuances of the family court system. Topics include: the legal rights and duties of married couples, the laws governing divorce and maintenance, the equitable distribution of marital property, the principles guiding child custody, support and visitation, the rights of unmarried parents, the need of paternity testing, the role of surrogate parents, no-fault divorce, and the status of civil unions. Prerequisite(s): ENG 101, ENG 102.

PLG 325 - Juvenile and Education Law (3 credits)

This course will focus on the evolution of legal theory and law as related to juveniles. Students will explore the rights of juveniles both in court settings and non-court settings. Students will examine the nuances and jurisdiction of the juvenile court system, the rights of the children in the system, the types of investigations, hearings and procedures that occur in juvenile matters. Students will focus on issues of delinquency, status offenses, abuse, neglect and dependency paying special attention to the roles of prosecutors, guardian’s ad litem, and attorneys for the minor child and defense counsel. Students will also learn about education law as it impacts all students. Prerequisite(s): ENG 101, ENG 102.

PLG 399 - Paralegal Practicum (3 credits)

This is the practicum course for the Paralegal concentration. In this course, eligible paralegal degree-seeking students report to a host site and work under the supervision of an attorney or his/her designee (herein after referred to as the Site Supervisor) for a minimum of 240 hours over the course of a semester in exchange for course credit. The schedule for performing work at the host site shall be agreed upon between the Student and host site at the start of the semester. Prerequisite(s): ENG 101, ENG 102. Recommended Prerequisite(s): BUS 120, PLG 105, PLG 110, PLG 210, & PLG 301.

PLG 499 - Paralegal Capstone (3 credits)

This is the capstone course for the Paralegal Capstone concentration and should be taken in the student's last semester. The student can have no more than 6 credits remaining in their concentration to complete in their degree program prior to enrolling in this course. The goal of the course is for students to integrate the knowledge gained in the Paralegal concentration courses. Students in the Paralegal Studies concentration are required to complete a capstone experience in which they demonstrate fulfillment of the various outcomes of their concentration. A successful project will demonstrate that the student clearly understands his or her concentration, has mastered the content of the paralegal studies coursework, and can synthesize and apply what he or she has learned. The student must develop a capstone project proposal, to be approved by the instructor, which will demonstrate understanding of the outcomes. The proposed project may be a case study, research paper, portfolio of work with written explanation, etc. Once the instructor approves the proposal, a minimum of three drafts of the capstone project must be submitted before the final project is submitted.The course must be taken at Charter Oak State College.