Skip to content
  1. Online
  2. Law
  3. Criminal law
Criminal Law and Justice Overview cover image

Criminal Law and Justice Overview
Course Line On Demand

100% Online | 2026 Updated | Cheapest Fees | No Hidden Fees | Free PDF Certificate | 24/7 Support

Summary

Price
£19.99 inc VAT
Study method
Online, On Demand 
Duration
1.9 hours · Self-paced
Qualification
No formal qualification
Certificates
  • Reed Courses Certificate of Completion - Free
Assessment details
  • Final Exam (included in price)
Additional info
  • Tutor is available to students

Overview

Criminal Law and Justice Overview is designed for learners seeking a structured and comprehensive understanding of criminal law and the criminal justice system within a UK context. This course explores how criminal law defines offences, determines liability, and operates through investigation, trial, sentencing, and reform, offering learners a clear framework for understanding how justice is administered.

The course introduces criminal law as a core area of legal study, examining its purpose, sources, and role in maintaining public order and protecting individual rights. Learners explore key principles such as criminal liability, elements of offences, and legal defences, building foundational knowledge of how criminal responsibility is established.

Criminal Law and Justice Overview also examines the practical operation of the criminal justice system, including police investigation, prosecution, court structures, trial procedures, and sentencing practices. Human rights considerations, youth justice, and contemporary challenges such as cybercrime and terrorism are explored to highlight the evolving nature of criminal justice.

Rather than preparing learners for legal practice or enforcement roles, this course develops informed understanding, analytical awareness, and critical thinking. Learners are encouraged to reflect on legal reform, ethical considerations, and the balance between public safety and individual rights.

This course supports academic progression, professional awareness, and informed engagement with criminal justice issues. It does not provide legal qualification, professional accreditation, or authority to practise criminal law.

Certificates

Assessment details

Final Exam

Included in course price

Curriculum

13
sections
39
lectures
1h 56m
total

Description

This Criminal Law and Justice Overview course consists of eleven structured lectures, followed by an assessment, each addressing a key area of criminal law and justice.

The course begins with an introduction to criminal law, examining its definition, sources within the UK legal system, and its role in society. Criminal liability is explored through concepts such as actus reus, mens rea, causation, concurrence, and strict liability offences.

Elements of crimes are examined in detail, including homicide, offences against the person, property crimes, sexual offences, fraud, and white-collar crime, providing learners with broad exposure to major offence categories. Defences in criminal law examine self-defence, insanity, diminished responsibility, intoxication, duress, and necessity from a legal awareness perspective.

Criminal procedure explores investigation processes, arrest, detention, bail, and the roles of the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Magistrates’ Court, and Crown Court. Trial and sentencing examine trial stages, sentencing principles, types of sentences, and appeal mechanisms.

Juvenile justice focuses on youth offending, the youth justice system, and measures designed for young offenders. Human rights and criminal justice examine the European Convention on Human Rights and how human rights principles operate within criminal proceedings.

Contemporary issues in criminal law explore cybercrime, hate crime, terrorism, and national security concerns. Reforms and challenges examine recent legal changes, ongoing controversies, and future developments. Comparative analysis provides insight into how UK criminal law compares with other legal systems.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the Criminal Law and Justice Overview course, learners receive a free digital certificate confirming course completion. A provider-issued certificate is also available following verification, with optional premium certificates and academic transcripts available separately. This course supports academic progression, legal literacy, and professional development in law-related fields.

Who is this course for?

This Criminal Law course is suitable for learners with an interest in law, criminal justice, criminology, public policy, or legal studies. It is ideal for students, justice sector support staff, compliance assistants, or individuals preparing for further study in law or criminal justice disciplines.

Requirements

No formal legal qualifications or prior experience are required to enrol on this Criminal Law course. Learners should have a basic to good standard of English, access to the internet, and a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Completion of the final assessment is required to successfully finish the course.

Career path

Criminal Law and Justice Overview can support progression into legal support roles, criminal justice administration, compliance assistance, research support, or further academic study in law or criminal justice.

Questions and answers

There are currently no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.

Ask a question

Reviews

Currently there are no reviews for this course. Be the first to leave a review.

Leave a review

Legal information

This course is advertised on Reed.co.uk by the Course Provider, whose terms and conditions apply. Purchases are made directly from the Course Provider, and as such, content and materials are supplied by the Course Provider directly. Reed is acting as agent and not reseller in relation to this course. Reed's only responsibility is to facilitate your payment for the course. It is your responsibility to review and agree to the Course Provider's terms and conditions and satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the course you intend to purchase. Reed will not have any responsibility for the content of the course and/or associated materials.

FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. If you work in certain professions or for certain companies, your employer may require you to complete a number of CPD hours or points, per year. You can find a range of CPD courses on Reed Courses, many of which can be completed online.

A regulated qualification is delivered by a learning institution which is regulated by a government body. In England, the government body which regulates courses is Ofqual. Ofqual regulated qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which can help students understand how different qualifications in different fields compare to each other. The framework also helps students to understand what qualifications they need to progress towards a higher learning goal, such as a university degree or equivalent higher education award.

An endorsed course is a skills based course which has been checked over and approved by an independent awarding body. Endorsed courses are not regulated so do not result in a qualification - however, the student can usually purchase a certificate showing the awarding body's logo if they wish. Certain awarding bodies - such as Quality Licence Scheme and TQUK - have developed endorsement schemes as a way to help students select the best skills based courses for them.
View all
Similar subjects: Criminal law, Law
Related searches: Online courses

Interest free credit agreements provided by Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register (800542). Zopa Bank Limited (10627575) is incorporated in England & Wales and has its registered office at: 1st Floor, Cottons Centre, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QG. VAT Number 281765280. DivideBuy's trading address is First Floor, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1HH. © Zopa Bank Limited 2026. All rights reserved.