CJ 110W - Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Introduces and provides orientation to the field of law enforcement and criminal justice. Explores major areas including: the philosophical and historical background of the field; types of courts and agencies in the field and their responsibilities; administrative and technical problems in the field and an understanding of the Bill of Rights Amendments to the Constitution.

Prerequisite(s): READING LEVEL 2 and WRITING LEVEL 2.
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

Analyze the conceptual differences between the types of laws and crimes that have influenced the creation of the American criminal justice system.
1. Differentiate between natural law and common law
2. Contrast and compare the differences between crimes that are mala in se and mala prohibita
3. Demonstrate an understanding between felonies and misdemeanors
4. Explain the differences between substantive and procedural law
5. Demonstrate an understanding between Part I and Part II crimes
6. Explain the differences between civil and criminal law
7. Synthesize all of the above into a comprehensive assessment of the American criminal justice system
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic fundamental rights of the U.S. Constitution as they apply to the criminal justice system.
1. List and define of the rights of the accused 2B. Analyze the conceptual framework and applications of search and seizure laws.
2. Describe and explain due process as it relates to the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and the concept of incorporation.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of Miranda rights.
4. List the rights contained in the following Amendments: First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
Analyze the significance of landmark court cases.
1. Describe and assess the significance of each of the following court cases:
  1. Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. (1964).
  2. Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 ( 1972).
  3. Gideon v. Wainwright, 392 U.S. 335 (1963).
  4. Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925).
  5. Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965).
  6. Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967).
  7. Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961).
  8. Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cr. 138 (1803).
  9. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. (1966).
  10. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).
Demonstrate understanding of the American court system
1. Describe the structure and role of the local, state, and federal court systems
2. Differentiate between the following types of writs: habeaus corpus, certiorari, mandamus
Synthesize the processes of the American criminal justice system.
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the following key criminal justice concepts: adversarial, affirm, appeal, arraignment, arrest/detain, bail, Carroll doctrine, challenge, change of venue, concurrent, corpus delecti, crime, deterrence, discretion, determinate sentencing, double jeopardy, due process, evidence , exclusionary rule, felony murder, fruits of the poisonous tree, hung jury, indeterminate, investigation, mala in se, mala prohibita, mens rea, modus operandi, nolo contendere, nolo prosequi, parole, plea bargaining, peremptory, probable cause, probation, quasi-judicial function, reasonable doubt, remand, reverse, rule of four, search and seizure, self-incrimination, stop & frisk , silver platter doctrine, standing mute, vior dire, preponderance, presentence investigation.
Perform writing tasks to promote learning of concepts.
1. Document attainment of skills learned.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the subject.
Write effectively for a specific purpose.
1. Articulate important ideas.
2. Select, organize, and present details to support a main idea.
3. Employ conventions of written, edited, standard English (WESE) or the language of instruction.
4. Use appropriate vocabulary for the audience and purpose.
Demonstrate the learning of concepts through writing.
1. Analyze course content in written form.
2. Explain the subject matter in a coherent writing style.