This course is an introductory overview of the organization and jurisdictions of local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial and corrections agencies, and processes involved in the criminal justice systems. It examines the historical aspects of the police, the courts, and the correctional system, as well as the philosophy. Additionally, career opportunities and qualifying requirements, terminology and constitutional limitations of the system will also be covered.
Explain the activities and purposes of most hackers.
Distinguish cyber crime from traditional crime.
Identify the variables which correlate with juvenile crime rates.
Compare and contrast the four major differences between juvenile courts and adult courts.
Define delinquency and status offenses.
Corrections
Describe truth-in-sentencing laws and their goals.
Compare and contrast parole and probation and the conditions which accompany each.
Indicate some of the reasons for violent behavior in prisons.
Summarize the distinction between jails and prisons, and indicate the importance of jails in the American correctional system.
Explain the justifications for community-based corrections programs.
Describe prison culture and subculture.
Identify types of prisons.
The Criminal Justice System
Define crime and its relationship to law.
Describe crime rates, arrest rates, recidivism rates, and clearance rates in the United States.
Examine the differences between major crime reporting programs in the United States.
Describe the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process.
Describe governmental structure and its relationship to criminal justice.
Identify instruments for measuring crime.
Identify choice theories of crime and their underlying assumptions.
Describe the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal.
Criminal Courts
Define the six forms of punishment.
Compare and contrast the five basic philosophical reasons for sentencing criminals.
List the six basic steps of an appeal.
Explain how a prosecutor screens potential cases.
Identify the steps involved in the pretrial criminal process.
Examine the differences among members of the courtroom work group.
Describe the historical development of U.S.courts.
Outline the dual court system in the United States.
The Police and Law Enforcement
Examine the issues facing police departments in today's society.
Recognize the role of the police in contemporary society and be familiar with concepts such as community policing.
Outline four major sources that may provide probable cause.
List three primary purposes of police patrol.
List five main types of law enforcement agencies and the various law enforcement agencies under the control of the new Department of Homeland Security.
Describe the historical development of police agencies and their jurisdiction.
The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.