Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS101   19946-20065 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 05/24/94
AJS101 19946-20065 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Introduction to Criminal Justice
An examination of the organization and jurisdiction of local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial and corrections systems; their history and philosophy; career opportunities and qualifying requirements, terminology and constitutional limitations of the system. Required in AJS curriculum. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS101   19946-20065 Introduction to Criminal Justice
1. Define crime and its relationship to criminal law. (I)
2. Identify instruments for measuring crime. (I)
3. Describe governmental structure and its relation to criminal justice. (II)
4. Describe the components of the criminal justice system. (II)
5. Define the criminal justice process. (III)
6. Describe the historical development of police agencies and their jurisdiction. (IV)
7. Describe the role of prosecution and defense. (V)
8. Identify the role of state and federal courts. (VI, VII)
9. Describe the criminal trial and the legal right of the accused at trial. (VIII)
10. Describe the history and philosophy of corrections. (IX)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS101   19946-99999 Introduction to Criminal Justice
    I. Crime in America
        A. Social, political, and legal issues
        B. Instruments to measure crime
      II. Overview of criminal justice
          A. Government structure
          B. Components of the criminal justice system
        III. The criminal justice process
            A. Investigation
            B. Arrest and booking
            C. Custody
            D. Formal complaint
            E. Pretrial hearings
            F. Bail
            G. Adjudication
            H. Appeal
          IV. Police in society
              A. Early history of English law enforcement
              B. The development of law enforcement in America
              C. State and federal law enforcement agencies
              D. The function and jurisdiction of metropolitan, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
            V. Prosecution and defense
                A. Role of prosecutor
                B. Role of defense
                C. Right to counsel for the accused
              VI. Role of state courts
                  A. District courts
                  B. Appellate courts
                VII. Role of federal courts
                    A. District courts
                    B. Circuit courts
                    C. Supreme courts
                  VIII. Trial by jury
                      A. Jury selection
                      B. Opening statements
                      C. Prosecutor's evidence
                      D. Defense evidence
                      E. Verdicts
                      F. Sentencing process
                      G. Appeals
                    IX. Corrections
                        A. Early American prisons
                        B. Development of the Auburn System
                        C. Spread of the prison system
                        D. Jails
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