CRJ 100 - Intro to Criminal Justice

1. Discuss the nature and state of the criminal justice system today
   1. Develop a definition of crime according to the consensus and conflict models
   2. Describe the processes, structure, and purpose of the criminal justice system
   3. Identify the values embodied within our criminal justice system
2. Explore the causes of crime according to choice, trait, and sociological theories
   1. Discuss victimology, including factors of victimization and victim’s rights
3. Discuss how crime is defined and measured in the American criminal justice system
   1. Identify crime classifications
   2. Describe the components of the Uniform Crime Report
   3. Discuss alternative crime measuring methods
   4. Elaborate on identified crime trends today
4. Discuss attributes of criminal law in the American criminal justice system
   1. Identify the written sources of American criminal law
   2. Explain the purposes of criminal law
   3. Define the elements of a crime
   4. Identify recognized criminal defenses
5. Discuss modern policing in the realm of the American criminal justice system
   1. Describe the history of American policing
   2. Identify the various law enforcement agencies within policing
   3. explain private security and its prominence in American criminal justice
   4. Identify the various recognized responsibilities of the police
6. Identify the various challenges to effective policing in America
   1. Discuss recruitment and training of American police officers
   2. Describe the organization of law enforcement agencies
   3. Explain the concept and implementation of community policing
   4. Describe the importance of the patrol and investigative functions in a policing agency
   5. Discuss the issues of the police subculture, police stress, use of force, corruption, and accountability
   6. Explain the dilemmas and elements of police ethics
7. Explain the legal considerations which guide policing in America
   1. Elaborate on the importance of the Fourth Amendment
   2. Discuss stops and frisks according to Terry v. Ohio
   3. Discuss the legal aspects of stops and arrests
   4. Describe the legal requirements associated with searches and seizures
   5. Describe the legal requirements associated with interviews and interrogations
8. Describe the Court system in the American criminal justice system
   1. Identify the various components of the American judicial system
   2. Discuss the typical state court system
   3. Discuss the federal court system
   4. Identify the role of judges and how they are selected
   5. Describe those who comprise the courtroom work group
9. Identify the various pretrial procedures and components of the criminal trial
   1. Explain the purpose pretrial detention and bail
   2. Describe how probable cause is established through the grand jury or preliminary hearing
   3. Explain how prosecutors screen cases for prosecution
   4. discuss the various aspects of guilty pleas
   5. Identify the special features of criminal trials
   6. Explain the process of voir dire
   7. Identify the various parts of the typical criminal trial
   8. Discuss the end stages of a trail and post-conviction appeals
10. Probe the subject of punishment and sentencing
    1. Explain the purpose of sentencing
    2. Explain the structure of sentencing
    3. Explain how judges decide to sentence convicted offenders
    4. Discuss the various aspects of sentencing reform
    5. Explore the complex issues associated with capital punishment
11. Elaborate on the various issues associated with community corrections and probation
    1. Discuss the justifications for community corrections
    2. Define probation and other intermediate sanctions
12. Analyze prisons and jails as they pertain to American criminal justice
    1. Explain the history of corrections in America
    2. Explain the reasons for the increase in prison populations
    3. Identify the types of persons used to incarcerate offenders
    4. Discuss prison administration and organization
    5. Discuss the proliferation of privatized corrections in America
    6. Discuss the various issues and aspects of jails