Year One

This Introduction to Criminal Justice course covers police, courts, and corrections in the United States. Students will participate in mock trials, debates, fingerprinting, and crime scene work. Students will hear from different guests speakers working in the criminal justice field. Students will also learn about Illinois Criminal Law and landmark criminal court cases. Students will earn college credit through Richland Community College by taking this class.

Year Two

This second year Criminal Justice course covers Criminal Investigations first semester, and Introduction to Corrections second semester. In Criminal Investigations, students will learn about interviews and interrogation, physical evidence, and specific crimes. In Corrections, students will learn about jails, prisons, probation, parole, and alternative methods of sentencing. Students will earn the ability to participate in a 7 week job shadow program at the end of the school year, where they will job shadow 7 different criminal justice agencies in Decatur. Students will earn college credit through Richland Community College by taking this class.

Instructor

Mr. Dahman (Criminal Justice I) 

Mrs. Cleary (Criminal Justice I & II)

Course Location

Richland Community College Campus

Areas of Study

• Causes of crime
• Society's impact and responsibility
• Police involvement - purpose - levels
• Court systems and procedures
• Sentencing process and prison system
• Report writing
• Crime scene investigation
• Finger printing
• Suspect identification
• Vehicle identification
• Mock trial participation
• Debating skills

Dual Credit