PL-S-PARALEGAL SERVICES
PL S 160. Legal System for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to the court system, administrative agencies, functions of law offices, and professional conduct and legal ethics. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite(s): ACT standard score in English of 16 or higher or a Compass score 76 or higher; for those scoring 13-15 in English on ACT or 35-75 on Compass, successful complete of CCDE 105N or CCDE 110N; for those scoring 12 or below on the ACT standard score in English or 34 or below on the Compass, successful completion of CCDE 105N & CCDE 110N.
PL S 162. The Virtual Law Office
3 Credits (3)
The Virtual Law Office class is a 'hands-on', project oriented course designated to provide the student with the basic law office skills needed to function successfully in a law office setting. The student will gain a practical, working knowledge of the procedures necessary to work in a law office. The skills learned in the class will directly translate to real life situations. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 160.
PL S 190. Criminal Law for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to federal and state criminal law; criminal proceedings, prosecution and defense, sentencing and appeal.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 200. Legal Ethics for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to ethical dilemmas faced in the workforce and the rules of ethics developed by the American Bar Association, various national paralegal organizations, and the Supreme Court of New Mexico. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 160.
PL S 203. Immigration Law
3 Credits (3)
Survey of the basics of immigration law including the rights and obligations of citizenship and the naturalization process.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 221. Internship I
2-4 Credits
Work experience that directly relates to a student's major field of study that provides the student an opportunity to explore career paths and apply knowledge and theory learned in the classroom. Internships can be paid or unpaid. Students are supervised/evaluated by both the employer and the instructor. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 274.
PL S 222. Internship II
1-3 Credits
Continuation of PL S 221. Each credit requires specified number of hours of on-the-job work experience. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 221.
PL S 231. The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Law of contracts, negotiable instruments, bank transfers, secured transactions, debtor-creditor relations, agency, and business types and their formation. Students will study the relevant statutes as well as draft documents associated with these types of legal practice. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 160.
PL S 274. Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I
3 Credits (3)
Legal memoranda, briefs, and pleadings will be prepared and written based on the student s original research. Research materials and techniques will be identified and studied; introduction of computer usage in legal research.
Prerequisite: PL S 160 and ENGL 1110G.
PL S 275. Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Primary legal principles of tort and insurance law and means of establishing insurance plans, types of torts and insurance, as well as use of specific forms and procedures relating to these areas.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 276. Wills, Trusts, and Probate for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Cases and statutes dealing with wills, trusts, and probate. Emphasis on preparation and drafting of documents and the application of the law and documents to the client s problems.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 277. Family Law for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
Methods of conducting client interviews and drafting of pleadings and research relative to families. Laws relating to marriage, divorce, custody, support, adoption, name change, guardianship, and paternity.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 278. Litigation for the Paralegal
3 Credits (3)
The law of procedure and evidence will be considered through rules and cases. Case situations will be used to identify and solve problems.
Prerequisite: PL S 160.
PL S 279. Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II
3 Credits (3)
Continuation of PL S 274. Advanced training in legal research problems with a focus on analysis, writing, and preparation of sophisticated legal memoranda and documents.
Prerequisite: PL S 274.
PL S 298. Independent Study
1-3 Credits (1-3)
Individual studies directed by consenting faculty with prior approval by department head. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
Prerequisite(s): PL S 160.