SVCC College Catalog

ADJ 100 SURVEY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 cr.)   Presents an overview of the United States criminal justice system; introduces the major system components-- law enforcement, judiciary, and corrections. Lecture 3 hours per week .

ADJ 105 THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM (3 cr.)   Presents the evolution, philosophy, structures and processes of the American juvenile delinquency system; surveys the right of juveniles, dispositional alternatives, rehabilitation methods and current trends.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 111-112 LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION & ADMINISTRATION I-II (3 cr.) (3 cr.)   Teaches the principles of organization and administration of law enforcement agencies. Studies the management of line operations, staff and auxiliary services, investigative and juvenile units. Introduces the concept of data processing; examines policies, procedures, rules, and regulations pertaining to crime prevention. Surveys concepts of protection of life and property, detection of offenses, and apprehension of offenders. Prerequisite ADJ 111 for ADJ 112 or Divisional approval.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 115 PATROL PROCEDURES (3 cr.)   Describes, instructs and evaluates street-level procedures commonly employed by patrol officers in everyday law enforcement operations.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 120 INTRODUCTION TO COURTS (3 cr.)   Presents an overview of the American judiciary--the federal and 50 state judicial systems with emphasis on criminal court structures, functions, and personnel; surveys the judicial system in Commonwealth of Virginia.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 127 FIREARMS AND MARKSMANSHIP (3 cr.)   Surveys lethal weapons in current use and current views on weapon types and ammunition design.  Examines the legal guidelines as to use of deadly force, safety in handling of weaponry, and weapon care and cleaning; marksmanship instruction under standard range conditions.  Prerequisite permission of instructor.  Lecture 2 hours.  Laboratory 3 hours.  Total 5 hours per week.

ADJ 131 LEGAL EVIDENCE (3 cr.)   Surveys the identification, degrees, and admissibility of evidence for criminal prosecution; examines pre-trial and trial procedures as they pertain to the rules of evidence.  Lecture  1-2 hours.  Studio instruction 4 hours. Total 5-6 hours per week.

ADJ 139 PRIVATE DETECTIVES/INVESTIGATORS (3-5 cr.)   Instructs the student in investigative techniques, criminal law and procedure, rules of evidence, the techniques and mechanics of arrest.  Meets state certification requirements for private investigators licensing.  Lecture 3-5 hours per week.

ADJ 140 INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS (3 cr.)   Focuses on societal responses to the offender. Traces the evolution of practices based on philosophies of retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Reviews contemporary correctional activities and their relationships to other aspects of the criminal justice system. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 147 LOCAL ADULT DETENTION FACILITIES (3 cr.)   Studies security procedures in adult detention facilities, the criteria for effective supervision of inmates, the correctional aspects of inmate discipline, and the handling of "special inmates."  Presents concepts, programs, and planning considerations for jail management and the operation of adult detention facilities. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 166 FISH AND GAME REGULATIONS (3 cr.)   Surveys state and federal laws regulating inland fishing, water fowl and game animals.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 171-172 FORENSIC SCIENCE I-II (4 cr.) (4 cr.)   Introduces student to crime scene technology, procedures for sketching, diagramming and using casting materials.  Surveys the concepts of forensic chemistry, fingerprint classification/identification and latent techniques, drug identification, hair and fiber evidence, death investigation techniques, thin-layer chromatographic methods, and arson materials examination.  Lecture 3 hours.  Laboratory 3 hours.  Total 6 hours per week.

ADJ 201 CRIMINOLOGY I (3 cr.)   Studies current and historical data pertaining to criminal and other deviant behavior.  Examines theories that explain crime and criminal behavior in human society.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 211-212 CRIMINAL LAW, EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURES I-II (3 cr.) (3 cr.)   Teaches the elements of proof for major and common crimes and the legal classification of offenses. Studies the kinds, degrees and admissibility of evidence and its presentation in criminal proceedings with emphasis on legal guidelines for methods and techniques of evidence acquisition. Surveys the procedural requirements from arrest to final disposition in the various American court systems with focus on the Virginia jurisdiction. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 215 REPORT WRITING (3 cr.)   Introduces the basic mechanics and procedures of report writing; emphasizes clear, concise and accurate writing of communications as they relate to law enforcement records, investigations, and research. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 227 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW FOR JUSTICE PERSONNEL (3 cr.)   Surveys the basic guarantees of liberty described in the U.S. Constitution and the historical development of these restrictions on government power, primarily through U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Reviews rights of free speech, press, assembly, as well as criminal procedure guarantees (to counsel, jury trial, habeas corpus, etc.) as they apply to the activities of those in the criminal justice system. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 228 NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS DRUGS (3 cr.)   Surveys the historical and current usage of narcotics and dangerous drugs.  Teaches the identification and classification of such drugs and emphasizes the symptoms and effects on their users.  Examines investigative methods and procedures utilized in law enforcement efforts against illicit drug usage.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 236 PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (3 cr.)   Surveys the fundamentals of criminal investigation procedures and techniques. Examines crime scene search, collecting, handling and preserving of evidence. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 237 ADVANCED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (3 cr.)   Introduces specialized tools and scientific aids used in criminal investigation. Applies investigative techniques to specific situations and preparation of trial evidence. Prerequisite ADJ 236 or divisional approval. Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 245 MANAGEMENT OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES (3 cr.)   Describes management options and operational implications for staffing, security, safety, and treatment.  Considers impact of changes in public policy on corrections.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 247 CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR (3 cr.)   Introduces and evaluates the concepts of normal and abnormal behavior.  Focuses on the psychological and sociological aspects of criminal and other deviant behavior patterns.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

ADJ 248 PROBATION, PAROLE, AND TREATMENT (3 cr.)   Surveys the philosophy, history, organization, personnel and functioning of traditional and innovative probation and parole programs, considers major treatment models for clients. Lectures 3 hours per week.