Criminal Justice

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. Criminal Justice System in the United States. Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of the different components of the criminal justice system; law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, corrections, parole, and probation and how they work together. They will learn the history of American policing and how law enforcement techniques have evolved over the years. Students will learn the different types of crime and their causation. Finally, students will demonstrate an understanding of criminal law and the impact of crime in America.
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Students will demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. Criminal Courts. Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics in the courtroom, and how cases are processed from arrest through the trial and sentencing process. Students will be challenged to demonstrate an understanding of basic evidence, rules of evidence, discovery, sentencing, Habeas Corpus Review, appeals, and court controversies such as the death penalty. Attention will be given to the juvenile court process and the special considerations given to juveniles within the court system. The course will discuss Supreme Court cases impacting juveniles and its impact on juvenile court process.
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Students are introduced to principles, concepts and theories relating to police organization and administration within line and staff functions in the uniform and investigative units.
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Corrections refers to the branch of the criminal justice system describing a variety of functions typically carried out by government agencies and involving the punishment, treatment, and supervision of persons who have been convicted of crimes. The goal of the course is to help you understand how Corrections operate within the criminal justice system and provide you with a general, broad understanding of what corrections is and isn’t. Specifically, the course provides an overview of the historical development of crime and corrections, sentencing, jails, prisons, prison life, probation & parole, race relations, and challenges facing correctional populations. Prerequisites: CJ& 101 and CJ 111.
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This course gives students an overview of American juvenile justice in terms of both system process and practice. It will examine the foundations of the juvenile justice system, how it has been and is being reshaped by the US Supreme Court, and how Washington and other states treat juveniles in both their juvenile and adult criminal systems. The course will identify/discuss juvenile court structure/procedures, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, processing/detention of juveniles, and case disposition. This course also looks at institutionalization, rehabilitation, the treatment of juveniles, and the future of juvenile justice in America. Prerequisite: CJ& 101 and CJ 111.
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This course provides a critical introduction to deviance and crime and examines the nature of deviance and crime, and the ways in which it is socially constructed. The course provides an overview of theories of deviance and crime and the major institutions and agents within the Criminal Justice System used to exercise social control in society. The course will debate the response to deviance and crime through punishment and its application to offenders. Finally, students will analyze CJS policy, implications of criminalizing deviant behavior, and the government’s attempts to control it.
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Students will learn the history, purpose, and methods of traffic law enforcement and investigations. Students will learn the importance of officer discretion, ethics and professional conduct, with special attention upon their effect on public relations. Students will learn basic accident investigation, DUI investigation, and current issues and trends in traffic safety and enforcement. They will also participate in labs with traffic related investigations scenarios, tactics, and officer safety demonstrations. Force option simulator for de-escalation and use of force will be used in labs.
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This course will explore the history, scope, and nature of criminal law. It will analyze the general nature of the crime, constitutional limits on crime, and general principles of criminal liability. Selected topics in substantive criminal law, principles underlying the definition of crime classification of offenses, act, and intent, capacity to commit a crime, and various defenses such as the requirements of actus reus and mens rea and general doctrines such as ignorance of fact and ignorance of the law, causation, attempt, and complicity. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the basic theory of criminal law and the relationship between doctrines and the various justifications for the imposition of punishment. Students will also learn how to analyze and brief criminal cases and identify and discuss criminal issues. Prerequisites: CJ& 112 and CJ 201.
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Students will demonstrate an understanding of policing in America, becoming a police officer, the police role and use of discretion, police culture, personality, and stress. They will also learn about minorities in policing, police ethics and deviance, patrol operations, investigations, community policing, and the law. Finally, students will demonstrate an understanding of computers, technology, criminalistics, homeland security, and the U.S. Criminal Justice System. (Previously CJ& 104).
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This course will introduce students to the field of criminology, providing an overview of the study of criminal behavior with an emphasis on theories of crime causation. The course will analyze society’s formal response to crime through the criminal justice system: policing, courts/law, and corrections, and the impact of factors such as race, class, and gender. This course also covers methods of how crime data is collected and how that data is used in the criminal justice system to change policing tactics, create crime prevention programs, and administer correctional programming. Prerequisite: CJ& 105 and CJ& 106.
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This course provides a systematic study of Community Based Corrections and its components in their historical, philosophical, social and legal context. The course will guide the student toward a critical understanding of probation, parole, diversion, pre-trial release, and intermediate sanctions. A critical analysis of the statutes and policies relating to the administration of community-based correctional programs. Specifically, this course will highlight critical issues and trends in community-based corrections as well as evaluate the practice of community corrections nationwide. Special emphasis will be placed on exploring the development of community corrections, including probation, parole, intermediate punishments, special offenders in the community, and juvenile offenders in the community.
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This course provides an exploration of ethics and cultural perspectives in criminal justice. In presenting ethics, both the individual perspective and the organizational standpoint will be examined. The presentation of cultural perspectives is designed to aid law enforcement officers in better understanding and communicating with members of other cultures. Implicit bias training is presented to help students to examine their beliefs to address any biases which may interfere with fair and equal treatment of citizens. Prerequisites: CJ 110 and CJ 202.
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This course examines the relationship between drugs crime and human behavior and the theories of drug use/abuse/addiction. We will discuss the social construction of drug policies relating to controlling and criminalizing drugs and take an in depth look at the histories, pharmacology’s, and patterns associated with the most popular drugs in modern society both legal and illicit. We will examine the social control of drugs implemented by Criminal Justice agencies and the connections between drugs and crime. At the heart of this discussion will be the causes and consequences of modern U.S. drug policies. We will conclude with a look at prevention and treatment and the future of drug policy and intervention.
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This course explores the ways in which judicial interpretation of the U.S. Constitution has created and allocated power to government actors. We will thoroughly discuss how/why the U.S. Supreme Court cases center on claims of civil rights and liberties. We will examine basic Constitutional principles controlling the exercise of governmental power and using case law, we will build our understanding of judicial perspectives on the structure of the American government by analyzing major decisions of the Supreme Court. Topics covered include the practice of judicial review, approaches to Constitutional interpretation, federalism, separation of powers, executive prerogatives, and the reserved powers of the states. We will specifically analyze Amendments 1,2,4,5,6,8 and their impact on criminal justice professionals. Prerequisites: CJ& 105 and CJ& 106.
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Students will learn and practice standard techniques for gathering complete, truthful, and accurate information through interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects. Students will learn to identify internal and external factors, which can influence the accuracy of a statement, and techniques to address these problems. Students will learn and practice courtroom demeanor, appearance, and testimony and broadcast and communicate on a police radio. Prerequisites: CJ& 112 and CJ 201.
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Students will identify and discuss the history of Community Oriented Policing and apply 21st Century policing methods used to communicate and build partnerships with diverse cultures. Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethical policing as it relates to working with gangs, juvenile youth, and families. Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of the use of force incidents that impact the community and the importance of building relationships with the media. Prerequisite: CJ& 110 and CJ 202.
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Students are introduced to the command structure of modern law enforcement organizations as well as the essential functions of law enforcement executives, managers, and supervisors. Students will be able to identify and discuss leadership skills to include communication, problem-solving, decision making, and motivating personnel. Finally, students will demonstrate an understanding of community needs and the designing of department goals and objectives to meet these needs. (Previously CJ& 210)
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This course provides the student with an understanding of themselves and what careers may best match their preference and personality. The course will help students develop the necessary skills to plan, prepare and pursue a career in the Criminal Justice field. The course will focus on assisting students to navigate the job search world and then help students develop portfolios with references, cover letters, and resumes, and practice and hone job interviewing skills. Professionals working in their respective fields will explain requirements and share tips necessary to be considered for entry-level positions in careers such as law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and advocacy. Prerequisites: CJ& 110 and CJ 202.
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Formerly CJ 210. Theories of perception, emotion, motivation, personality and nonverbal communication used as tools by police officers in everyday contacts are introduced in this course. Understanding behavior and predicting human behavior in common police situations are emphasized.
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This course provides a study of juvenile delinquency as a social phenomenon, and the nature of delinquent offenses, offenders, and offending. Discuss the many theories explaining delinquent behavior and the various prevention strategies. Particular attention will be paid to the role of family, school, peers, and drugs in promoting delinquency. Acquaint the student with landmark decisions in Juvenile Justice and an understanding of how/why the juvenile justice system has developed its current philosophy. The course will present current evaluations/research on delinquency prevention.
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Students will learn and practice writing complete, chronological, and accurate police reports using appropriate formats from information gathered from interviews, observations, and evidence located at the scene. Traffic tickets, evidence logs, and other common law enforcement forms, as well as more complicated documentation such as search and arrest warrants, and affidavits will be taught and practiced. Students will participate in situational simulation scenarios in a lab setting, determining probable cause, booking evidence, completing interviews of victims, witnesses, and suspects in a controlled setting, and writing a final arrest report.
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Students will demonstrate an understanding of psychology and the physical effects of duress on persons in crisis. They will identify and understand the similarity of effects of issues related to mental illness and/or substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Students will demonstrate rapid, sensitive, safe, and skilled responses and interventions as first responders to individuals in crisis and also demonstrate knowledge of properly interacting with people suffering from duress, tragedy, and/or mental illness or developmental disabilities. Students will identify available resources and team with others to refer those in crisis to the proper interventions/ assistance. Students will demonstrate de-escalation and crisis response via situational simulation and scenarios which will include the force option simulator. Prerequisites: CJ 128, CJ 204, and CJ 212.
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This course provides an overview of homeland security and terrorism. Acknowledging that homeland security is primarily a response to terrorism, the course examines the threats and operations of terrorist organizations before moving on to other security concerns for Homeland Security. The structure of Homeland Security is discussed and legal issues analyzing the implementation of security measures are assessed alongside laws and directives from the early 2000s to the present day. The course discusses contested issues such as immigration and border security, cybercrime, policing, and U.S. government’s plan for protecting critical infrastructure and key assets from acts of terrorism. We will also discuss the shifting role of law enforcement in combating terrorism and other security threats.
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Students learn basic knowledge of firearms safety. This course is required to be taken concurrently with CJ 236 Firearms Qualification. This course is currently taught by Range Safety Officers at the Spokane Police Academy. All students handling firearms will be required to pass a background check. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CJ 236.
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Students learn basic theory and practice of shooting, as well as handling and cleaning firearms. Students fire .9mm handguns and are required to pass the practical police course of fire. This course must be taken concurrently with CJ 236 Firearms Safety. This course is currently taught by firearms instructors at the Spokane Police Academy. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CJ 235.
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Students study weaponless defense of police officers emphasizing mental control of suspects, crowd control and proper use of the police baton. Prerequisite: Students must pass one quarter of criminal justice physical training with a 2.0 or higher.
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Students will learn and demonstrate officer safety and how to respond to calls for service, including working undercover. Students will learn tactical considerations, planning, approach, field interviews, justifications for stops and interviews, planning contact and cover during traffic stops, domestic violence calls, neighbor and business disputes, robbery calls, shooting in-progress calls, school violence, and active shooters. Students will gain a basic understanding of arrests, handcuffing, searching, transporting prisoners, use of force, foot pursuits, vehicle pursuits, and setting up perimeters. Students will learn self-defense tactics, de-escalation, weapon retention, and the use of less-lethal force. They will properly demonstrate taking suspects into custody and will be trained and evaluated on the use of force options scenarios via the force option simulator.
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Students will learn the origin, history, and role of forensic science in the investigative process. The value and practical use of evidence, rules for admitting evidence, expert testimony in trial, and the unifying principles of forensics will be discussed. The major fields of forensic science will be explored and the practical application of forensic science in law enforcement will be emphasized. Students will learn to process crime scenes, lift fingerprints, and identify and collect evidence.
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This is a capstone course and students will put into practice all of what they have learned throughout the criminal justice program including basic police operations as they relate to calls for service, patrol functions, traffic, investigations, reasonable suspicion, and probable cause to arrest. Students will complete crime and arrest reports, demonstrate an understanding of the search warrant process, booking evidence, and interview witnesses, victims, and suspects. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the Incident Command System and will demonstrate in a lab setting radio calls, competing for crime broadcasts, and an understanding of tactics and officer safety issues. Finally, students will be subjected to scenarios where they must make decisions to conduct a simple field interview, make an arrest, or complete a crime report. Prerequisites: CJ 128, CJ 204, and CJ 212.
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Students with current and prior law enforcement, corrections, or military experience will have their training and experience evaluated for college credit specific to the criminal justice program. Students can earn up to 54 college units towards their AAS in criminal justice. Students will complete a portfolio highlighting their training and experience.
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Students will demonstrate how to run a crime scene properly and demonstrate an understanding of the role forensic examiners play in the investigative process. Students will learn and demonstrate how to conduct various criminal investigations such as property crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, auto theft, crimes against persons, robbery investigations, and homicide investigations. They will compare and contrast different techniques in interviewing an informant, suspect, witness, and victim. Students will compose a properly documented crime scene based on given facts and demonstrate an understanding of managing evidence collection and booking property. Students will prepare a case for filing consideration with a prosecuting attorney.
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Seminar information is administrative coordination between the employer, the course instructor, and the student to set expectations and understand the process. The course discusses the practical application of learned Criminal Justice topics and information and critical job skills to support success in co-op work experience. Concurrent enrollment in CJ 267.
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Practical application of seminar (CJ 266) led topics and information in a criminal justice career path work environment which can be paid or voluntary. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CJ 266.
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