Description:

This course provides a detailed description of the components of the American criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. Students utilize critical thinking skills to discern the balance between individual rights and public order as it pertains to the criminal justice process. Students demonstrate knowledge of criminal justice processes through examinations, assigned papers and reports. Additionally, students are required to participate in field and classroom experiences designed to explore the various career opportunities within the criminal justice system. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the major components of the criminal justice system.
2. Describe the diverse careers available in criminal justice.
3. Recognize cross-cultural perspectives of crime.
4. Discuss the relevance of maintaining crime statistics.
5. Compare and contrast the Uniform Crime Reports, the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Incident Based Reporting System.
6. List and explain the essential elements of a crime.
7. Explain the legal defenses against criminal responsibility.
8. Discuss the importance of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments as they apply to criminal justice.
9. Trace the evolutionary trends in law enforcement in the United States.
10. Describe how law enforcement agencies are organized in the United States at the federal, state and local levels.
11. Identify how a police officer uses discretion in carrying out his/her daily tasks.
12. Discuss the recent trends in reports of police brutality and the use of deadly force.
13. Discuss and apply search and seizure law relevant to the rights afforded under the Fourth Amendment.
14. Discuss and apply the law of interrogation relevant to the rights afforded under the Fifth Amendment.
15. Define and explain the importance of the exclusionary rule.
16. Describe the courtroom work group and the roles each participant plays.
17. Outline the judicial process from pretrial to sentencing.
18. Compare and contrast various sentencing options.
19. Trace the roots of the modern correctional philosophies.
20. Identify trends in community-based corrections.
21. Discuss the prison culture and its effect on inmates.
22. Discuss the nature and scope of the juvenile justice system.
23. Discuss the war against drugs and its effect on the criminal justice system.
24. Describe the effect terrorism has had on contemporary law enforcement activities and individual civil liberties.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Study of Crime in America
   A. Define the goals of the criminal justice system.
   B. Discuss the steps involved in the American criminal justice
process.
   C. Contrast the goals of the Due Process Model and the Crime Control
Model of criminal justice.
   D. List methods for determining the extent of crime.
   E. Discuss the legal requirements of a criminal act and defenses to a
criminal charge

II. Policing in America
   A. Describe the purpose and organization of police agencies.
   B. Discuss the individual rights afforded under the Fourth Amendment.
   C. List and apply the primary exceptions to the Fourth Amendment
warrant requirement.
   D. Discuss and apply important aspects of interrogation law under the
Fifth Amendment.
   E. Discuss the issues and challenges confronting contemporary
policing.

III. Adjudication of Criminal Defendants
   A. Discuss the structure and function of local, state and federal
courts.
   B. Identify and describe the process of a criminal trial.
   C. Discuss the philosophy and goals of criminal sentencing.
   D. List and describe modern sentencing options.

IV. Corrections in America
   A. Discuss the function of probation, parole and community
corrections.
   B. Discuss the structure and function of prisons and jails in America.
   C. Describe the social structure and subculture inside America’s
prisons.
   D. Identify important legal restrictions pertaining to prisoner’s
rights.

V. Field Observation
   A. Observe a criminal justice professional in the workplace for a
minimum of four hours.
   B. Describe the field experience in a written paper.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1.	Four Unit Exams		50 pts. each
2.	Comprehensive Final	100 pts.
3.	Research Paper		100 pts.
4.	Field Observation	50 pts.
5.	Classroom Presentation	50 pts.

Caveats:

1. Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.