Administration of Justice
15 courses · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
AJ 29 Independent Study, Administration of Justice
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
For course information, see "Independent Study".
AJ 45 Policing America
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
An overview of the role of police in American society, including important historical facts shaping policing to the present. Students will examine the development of law enforcement in the United States and investigate trends in police organization, culture, and practice. The polarizing nature of policing in a democracy will be analyzed as the course explores the historical relationship between police and the preservation of social order.
AJ 50 Introduction to Administration of Justice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 110
History and philosophy of administration of justice in America; recapitulation of the system; identifying the various subsystems, role expectations, and their interrelationships; theories of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation; ethics, education and training for professionalism in the system.
AJ 54 Investigative Report Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Investigative reports with emphasis upon accuracy, detail and avoiding assumptions or stereotypes. Includes arrest reports, incident reports and miscellaneous field reports. Techniques and methods used to cover information; how to analyze and present information in a clear and concise report that reflects impartiality and respect for all parties involved.
AJ 55 Introduction to Correctional Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 200
Aspects of modern correctional process as utilized in rehabilitation of adult and juvenile offenders. Emphasis on custody, rehabilitation, and treatment programs as recognized by modern penology. Exploration of career opportunities.
AJ 59 Child Abuse in the Community
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Dynamics of battered child syndrome. Focus on the abusive caretaker, patterns of abuse and means necessary for effective intervention and treatment, including effective legal and social action to control child abuse in the community
AJ 60 Criminal Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 120
Historical development, philosophy of law and constitutional provisions; definitions, classification of crime and their application to the system of administration of justice; frequently used Penal and other code sections; case law, methodology and concepts of law as a social force, emphasizing the importance of fairness and justice in the application and interpretation of criminal law, ensuring that legal principles are applied equitably to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
AJ 61 Evidence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 124
Origin, development, philosophy and constitutional basis of evidence; constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure; kinds and degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility; judicial decisions interpreting individual rights and case studies. Students will explore the critical role evidence plays in ensuring justice is served equitably, without bias or prejudice.
AJ 63 Criminal Investigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 140
This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, surveillance, source of information, utility of evidence, scientific analysis of evidence and the role of the investigator in the trial process.
AJ 64 Police Patrol Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Theory and application of police patrol operations. Topics include typical organizational structures and procedures, patrol techniques and equipment, community relations, procedural justice, de-escalation, intergroup relations. Legal and practical aspects of modern police patrol. Includes participation in simulation exercises and group activities.
AJ 66 Juvenile Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 220
This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the juvenile justice system as it evolved in the U.S. justice system. The course explores the theories that focus on juvenile law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles in the U.S. justice system.
AJ 68 Police Ethics and Leadership
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will explore the ethical, legal and moral complexities of law enforcement in a democracy. From the initial application process and background investigation of a potential law enforcement recruit, to the working law enforcement officer, the course will examine society’s need for organizational integrity and leadership in law enforcement agencies and the personal commitment to ethical behavior and individual leadership by law enforcement officers, both on the job and in their private lives.
AJ 70 Community Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ
This course examines the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict with an emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics may include the consensus and conflicting values in Culture, Religion, and Law.
AJ 85 Introduction to Forensics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 150
This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, questioned documents and controlled substances.
AJ 89 Family Violence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
The nature and dynamics of family and relationship violence, including historical, legal, and cross-cultural views. Specific types of violent interactions and abuse among family members, including intimate partner abuse, sexual violence, child abuse and neglect, and elder abuse. Social influences that may cause or reinforce violent behavior in the home. Emphasis on techniques for use by law enforcement to effectively intervene and investigate, and understanding of the criminal justice response to victims, offenders, and family members affected by violence in the family.