Administration of Justice
13 courses · MiraCosta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ADM 100 Introduction to the Administration of Justice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- AJ-110
This course explores the roots of our current justice system and the interaction of its various subsystems (law enforcement/prosecution, judicial, and corrections). It emphasizes the organizational structure and legal consideration relevant to each subsystem. Topics include the origin of law, theories of crime causation, criminal procedure, and sentencing philosophies and alternatives. The course also introduces students to sources of criminal justice information and statistics. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for ADM 100/ADM 100H, SOC 105, or SOCI 105. C-ID AJ-110.
ADM 107 Introduction to Computer/Digital Forensics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to computer/digital crime and abuse and the methods used to properly conduct a computer/digital forensics investigation. Designed for law enforcement investigators, corporate security officials, and network and computer security administrators, the course includes an overview of computer/digital forensics as a profession; the computer investigation process and related legal issues; the type and frequency of computer/digital-related crime; a basic overview of the Internet, networks, and network infrastructure protection; operating systems, data and disk structures, data acquisition and analysis, and technical writing; and a survey of computer/digital forensics tools.
ADM 200 Concepts of Criminal Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ-120
The course explores the basic concepts of criminal law, including its philosophy and development, relationship to the US government's structure, elements of a crime, inchoate offenses, and capacities and defenses. The course covers specific violations and legal issues related to crimes against persons, property crimes, organized crime, white collar crime, environmental crime, public safety and terrorism offenses, alcohol and drug offenses, and offenses against justice and public administration. C-ID AJ-120.
ADM 210 Criminal Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ-122
The course explores the basic concepts of criminal procedure with special emphasis on constitutional principles that apply to investigative techniques involving search and seizure, electronic surveillance, temporary detention, arrest, identification procedures, and interrogation. The course also covers legal issues that relate to initial entry into the judicial system, pre-trial, trial, sentencing, punishment, appeal, and post conviction relief. C-ID AJ-122.
ADM 220 Criminal Evidence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ-124
This course focuses on the various types of evidence and the rules governing admissibility in criminal proceedings with an emphasis on the Federal Rules of Evidence and the California Evidence Code. Topics include relevance, materiality, witness testimony, hearsay, impeachment, competence, chain of custody, and privileges. The course also addresses admissibility of evidence related to confessions, searches, in/out of court identifications, and other investigative techniques, including the criminal processes where admissibility is determined. C-ID AJ-124.
ADM 230 Policing in a Diverse and Multicultural Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ-160
This course examines how diverse populations and multicultural communities affect the organization of law enforcement agencies and the relationships between police and the communities they serve. It emphasizes the history, issues, and challenges associated with policing in communities of diverse and multicultural populations, considering such factors as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, social class, and culture. The course also explores strategies for improving communication skills and relationships between police and the community. C-ID AJ-160.
ADM 240 Written and Oral Communication in the Administration of Justice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course focuses on the written and oral communication skills necessary for success in the criminal justice system to include the application of relevant legal considerations. It emphasizes incident report writing, interview/interrogation documentation, and note-taking. The course also identifies and develops oral communication skills related to voluntary citizen contact, crisis intervention, custodial situations, and testimony.
ADM 250 Police Field Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course focuses on the duties, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of patrol officers during field operations. It emphasizes the different types of patrol and investigations, commonly encountered situations, techniques employed to address those situations, and the legal authorities related to such actions. Topics include written and oral communication skills, interview/interrogation, report writing, use of force, trial preparation and testimony, and the officer's role in community policing practices and the criminal justice system in general.
ADM 260 Organized Crime, Gangs, and Terrorism
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course traces the origins and evolution of domestic and transnational organized criminal and terrorist enterprises. It emphasizes their illicit activities, including drug trafficking, vices, gangs, and international and domestic terrorism. The course explores the impact such activities and enterprises have had on society, law enforcement, homeland security, and US transnational relations.
ADM 270 Crime and Delinquency
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ-220
This course focuses on the nature and extent of the most significant types of criminal and delinquent behavior of juvenile offenders as well as the major theories and factors that may explain such behavior. The course also explores the origin and development of the juvenile justice system and examines the relevant crime control strategies, treatment and rehabilitation programs, and the criminal justice processes applicable to juvenile procedures. C-ID AJ-220.
ADM 280 Criminal Investigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ-140
This course focuses on the fundamentals of criminal investigations, including investigative techniques relevant to particular types of crime (e.g., fingerprint/DNA collection, other scientific evidence, surveillances, eyewitness identification, interviews, interrogations, and searches) and the relevant legal and ethical considerations related to such techniques. The course reviews crime scene management and processing, including chain of custody issues and available scientific tests, with an emphasis on recording, collecting, and preserving physical evidence. Students also learn the importance of documentation and preparation for testimony at various legal proceedings. C-ID AJ-140.
ADM 292 Internship Studies
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.
ADM 299 Occupational Work Experience Education
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major or career area of interest. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.