Description
Aquinas on Crime
Description
March 13, 2026
9am – 4:30pm
Few contemporaries realize how Aquinas was and still is on the cutting edge of most things. Whether love, children, education, moral reasoning, happiness, or the proper dispositions for human existence, St. Thomas seems an expert in all of it. In this seminar, the focus targets St. Thomas’ criminal codification, which will illuminate the root, the heritage, and the foundation of modern criminal codification. First, how does St. Thomas factor the nature of the human person into the concept of criminal culpability and personal responsibility; second, what types of criminal conduct does St. Thomas precisely delineate and define; and lastly, what is Thomas’ view of mitigation and defense, as well as the corresponding punishment meted out for criminal conduct?
Course Details
| Modality | In-Person |
| Price | 159.00 |
| OH CLE | 5.5 General (pending) .5 prof conduct |
| WV CLE | 6 Attendance |
| PA CLE | 5.5 Substantive |
| Presenter | Dr. Charles P. Nemeth |
The course shall be a one-day event and include continental lunch and be held on Franciscan’s beautiful campus. A summary of course coverage includes:
- Aquinas and the Idea of Law
- Aquinas on Criminal Culpability
- Crimes Against the Person
- Current Aquinas on Sexual Offenses
- Aquinas on Property Offenses
- Offenses Involving Judicial Process
- Aquinas on Offenses Against Public Morality
- Law, Justice, Sentencing and Punishment
Presenter: Dr. Charles P. Nemeth
Dr. Charles P. Nemeth has spent much of his professional life in the study and practice of law and justice. He is a recognized expert on professional ethics and the justice system, private-sector justice and private security systems. Before his appointment at Franciscan, he was Chair and Professor of Security, Fire and Emergency Management and Director of the Center of Private Security and Safety at John Jay College in New York City. He is a prolific writer, having published numerous texts and articles on law and justice throughout his impressive career. His text, Private Security and the Law 4th- (Elsevier, 2012) is considered the foremost treatise on the subject matter. A 5th edition has been published by Taylor/Francis, 2018. His private security and criminal justice expertise is further buttressed by: Private Security and Investigative Process 4th edition (CRC Press, 2019); Private Security: Principles and Practice, 2nd (CRC Press, 2022); Criminal Law 3rdd (CRC Press, 2022) and Law and Evidence 3rd (Taylor Francis, 2022). In the area of Homeland Security, he has published Introduction to Homeland Security: Practices and Principles 4th edition (CRC Press, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2021).
He has also authored a series of philosophical works on Thomas Aquinas including Aquinas on Crime (St. Augustine’s Press, 2010); Aquinas in the Courtroom (Praeger/Greenwood Press, 2001); Aquinas and King: A Discourse on Civil Disobedience (Carolina Academic Press, 2011) and Cicero and Aquinas: A Comparative Study of Nature and the Natural Law (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018). Most recently he has completed two manuscripts: Natural Law and the U.S Supreme Court since Roe v. Wade (Anthem Press, 2020) and Happiness in a Complex World: Rules from Aristotle and Aquinas (Anthem Press, 2020 and Sophia Institute Press, 2022). He has also served as Chief Editor to a peer reviewed journal- The Homeland Security Review since 2005 and currently serves as Chief Editor for the Law, Ethics and Jurisprudence series to be published by Anthem Press. Presently he is the Chief Editor for a peer-reviewed Natural Law and Justice journal and is the founder and Director of Franciscan University’s Center for Criminal Justice, Law and Ethics. He has been an educator for more than 40 years. He holds memberships in the New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania Bars. Dr. Nemeth was previously a Chair at the State University of New York at Brockport and California University of PA- one of Pennsylvania’s 14 State Universities. He is a much-sought-after legal consultant for security companies and a recognized scholar on issues involving law, professional ethics and morality and the impact of privatization on public justice models.
Dr. Nemeth resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his spouse, Jean Marie, together for 50 years and blessed with seven children all of whom are accomplished personally and professionally.
Time Schedule
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 9:15 – 10:15 | The Thomistic Idea of Law |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Aquinas on Criminal Culpability |
| 11:15 – 11:45 | Crimes Against the Person |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Aquinas on Sexual Offenses |
| 12:30 – 1:00 | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Aquinas on Property Offenses |
| 2:00 – 2:30 | Offenses Involving Judicial Process |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Break |
| 3:00 – 3:30 | Aquinas on Offenses Against Public Morality |
| 3:30 – 4:15 | Law, Justice, Sentencing and Punishment |
| 4:15 – 4:30 | Summary and Evaluation |
Check Payment Policy:
If you prefer to pay by check, a $40 deposit or full payment is required to be sent in before a seat is reserved.
Cancellation Fee:
Due to the costs associated with our course offerings, the Center has implemented a 25% cancellation fee. Those costs relate to food and beverages purchased in advance and the fees we need pay to outside presenters. Cancellation fees will apply to those that do not show up for the course or those who cancel ahead of its offering. The Center appreciates your understanding.
*All courses are approved for continuing legal education by state authorizing bodies and are not courses for academic credit.
Want to know more?
Reach out to Dr. Charles Nemeth, Program Director, who would be happy to assist.















