Criminal Justice Essentials (2013)

Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.

Design a personal education and career plan.

Synthesize the various origins and historical influences that created the current structure of the United States Criminal Justice System.

Describe the court system and process of a criminal trial.

Analyze scenarios related to law enforcement and apply relevant federal, state and local law.

Cite constitutional standards as applied to the proper criminal procedure of criminal cases from initial response through trial. 

Demonstrate proper and ethical application of law enforcement skills.

Demonstrate techniques used in patrol operations.

Formulate ways police can interact with the community to reduce crime and improve the community.

Explore the steps of the criminal trial process.

Explain the various purposes and different types of sentences.

Research the American corrections systems.

Communicate effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal abilities.

Demonstrate creativity by asking challenging questions and applying innovative procedures and methods. 

Exhibit critical thinking and problem solving skills to locate, analyze and apply information in career planning and employment situations.

Model work readiness traits required for success in the workplace including integrity, honesty, accountability, punctuality, time management, and respect for diversity.

Apply the appropriate skill sets to be productive in a changing, technological, diverse workplace to be able to work independently and apply team work skills.

Present a professional image through appearance, behavior and language. 

Evaluate personal career preferences

Explain the requirements for employment in law enforcement, corrections, and security fields.

Compare employment requirements for local, state and federal agencies. 

Describe the duties of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

Compare the historical development of law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Describe the events leading to a civilian police force.

Demonstrate and discuss using historical context the staffing and configuration of the modern sheriff’s office.

Compare the emergence and present influence of common law and statutory law.

Evaluate reasons why the juvenile system separated from the regular legal system.

Debate capital punishment, “three strikes” laws, and similar modern issues.

Diagram a case from the initial investigation through appeals for both juvenile and adult defendants.

Describe each of the participants in the trial process.

Explain the relative authority of the different positions in the justice system, including judge, jury, and prosecutor. 

Diagram the organization of the dual court system.

Discuss the philosophical rationales of punishment.

Delineate between the civil and criminal process.

Interpret jurisdictional protocols to determine which authority holds preeminence.

Identify and explain the “technical and ideal” elements of a crime.

Apply terms used in defining types of crimes.

Debate excuses and justifications alleviating culpability.

Correctly apply criminal laws from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated including laws involving alcohol, schools, and serious motor vehicle violations.

Describe how law enforcement officers carry out civil court actions such as summons, orders, writs and similar. 

Explain how the Bill of Rights governs police and prosecutors.

Gather relevant case law from the Supreme Court of the United States and other relevant sources to predict legal outcomes in law enforcement actions.

Synthesize information in a mock investigation combined with relevant common and statutory law to create a warrant application that demonstrates probable cause.

Verify the reasonableness of searches and seizures as interpreted by the 4th Amendment.

Differentiate between the standards of proof in the criminal justice process.

Compare the nuances of interrogations against the Miranda ruling and other interpretations of the 5th Amendment.

Evaluate how the 6th Amendment impacts both criminal investigations and the trial process.

Explain how the 14th Amendment enhanced citizen protection under due process

Formulate applications of equal protection under law.

Evaluate the impact of the 8th amendment on our judicial system.

Evaluate scenarios for proper application of use of force.

Explain low and intermediate use of force techniques.

Demonstrate utilizing proper technique and caution in the approach and arrest of a suspect.

Write a thorough narrative and complete other required documentation detailing a mock arrest.

Demonstrate conducting a building search safely.

Discuss and analyze common signs of abuse. 

Describe how to properly interact with crime victims.

Compare special populations in the community (i.e. disabled, mentally ill, and limited communication). 

Investigate research on patrol such as the Kansas City Study.

Compare how patrols are assigned and utilized.

Explain the risks associated with all traffic stops.

Evaluate given information in a mock call to apply relevant protocols to communicate between dispatch and needed agencies and officers

Recognize traffic violations from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 40.

Analyze evidence to properly conduct an impaired driving investigation.

Formulate plans for various types of approaches to suspect vehicles. 

Assess a mock vehicle collision and investigate using correct techniques and completing necessary documentation.

Cite historical and philosophical reasons for community policing.

Evaluate community needs and create a crime prevention plan.

Assess community business needs and create a loss prevention plan.

Demonstrate preparing for voir dire.

Analyze a case to plan a trial strategy.

Create an opening statement.

Formulate a direct examination.

Anticipate opposing trial strategies to prepare a cross examination. 

Demonstrate testifying in a mock examination. 

Demonstrate scrutinizing testimony in presenting closing arguments.

Demonstrate formulating proper objections. 

Identify and describe the general factors influencing a judge’s sentencing decision.

Describe how judges vary sentences to fit the crime and offender.

Explain the three basic types of sentences.

Demonstrate an understanding of the rationales or justifications for criminal punishment.

Explain the purposes of pre-sentence investigation reports.

Summarize the arguments in support of and in opposition to the Three Strikes Law. 

Describe correctional officer duties.

Explain how today’s inmate society differs from those of the past.

Identify and explain prisoners’ rights.

Explain methods of inmate release.

Summarize what recidivism research reveals about the success of the prison in achieving deterrence and rehabilitation.

Identify the circumstances for which capital punishment might be applied.

Debate issues related to capital punishment.