The History of Criminal Justice in California

Long a frontier throughout American history, California has drawn newcomers in waves on multiple occasions thanks to gold rushes and Dust Bowls. With those waves of migrants has come tests to the state’s criminal justice system. It should come as no surprise, then, that two of America’s most notorious prisons, Alcatraz and San Quentin, were established here. Modern criminal justice history in California includes the riots of 1992 and the OJ Simpson car chase and subsequent trial.

Criminal Justice Education

Criminal justice students have plenty of opportunities to pursue an education in California. At least 180 schools offer degrees in criminal justice, and these range from certificates to PhDs. Individual schools may offer their own scholarships, but it is also worth checking out the Department of Homeland Security’s internship programs [http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/] if you would be interested in specializing in homeland security.

The Future of Criminal Justice in California

California ranks among the top states for pay across many occupations in criminal justice, from patrol officers to detectives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, corrections officers earn an average of about $65,000 per year. That figure rises to about $77,000 for patrol officers and $90,000 for detectives.

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Baker College Online is fully accredited and offers over 40 programs that will help you earn your Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degree affordably. Learn more now.

Programs:

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Everest University Online

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Strayer University

Continue your education with Strayer University. We offer convenient degree options designed with the working adult in mind — study online, on campus in the evening and weekends, or through a combination of both.

Programs:

• AA: Criminal Justice
• BSCJ: Criminal Justice Admin
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Here are eight criminal justice blogs packed full of information and insights from police officers and criminal justice professionals. Prospective criminal justice majors will find tons of must-read material on the eight sites below.

Officer Smith

Web: http://officersmith.blogspot.com/

The Officer Smith blog is written by a California police officer who does not reveal his real name, but Officer Smith pulls no punches in his analysis (“I’m a police officer. Most people have already made their decisions about me just based on that statement.”) and offers readers a candid look at the job.

Cops 2.0

Web: http://cops2point0.com/

Cops 2.0 is written by Christa M. Miller, a PR and communications strategist who specializes in law enforcement and digital forensics. Her goal with the site is to demonstrate how effective social media can be for members of the law enforcement community.

Patti’s Paralegal Page

Web: http://lglduck.blogspot.com/

Patti is a 17-year veteran in the paralegal field, and with her blog she seeks to keep readers up to date on legal issues, plus pass along useful tools and other websites.

Cops Alive

Web: http://www.copsalive.com/

Cops Alive was founded by John Marx to help law enforcement officials literally survive their careers, deal with the severe stress they face every day and transition into a healthy post-law enforcement life after retirement. This post [http://www.copsalive.com/do-you-have-ptsd/] on post-traumatic stress disorder should be mandatory reading.

The Crime Analyst’s Blog

Web: http://www.crimeanalystblog.net/

The Crime Analyst’s Blog is written by Scott Dickson, a 20-year law enforcement veteran who focuses on ways to make policing more efficient through data analysis and collecting intelligence. Scott’s archive is pretty massive, but as a starting point check out this piece [http://www.crimeanalystblog.net/2012/11/using-google-alerts-for-crime-analysis.html] on using Google Alerts for crime analysis.

Cop in the Hood

Web: http://www.copinthehood.com/

Cop in the Hood is written by Peter Moksos, a professor of law, police science and criminal justice administration at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the City University of New York. Moksos was also a former Baltimore city police officer, and his blog offers deep insights and analysis into police work.

Discover Policing Blog

Web: http://blog.discoverpolicing.org/

The Discover Policing Blog is a great resource for anyone interested in a career in law enforcement. The blog is maintained by the people at DiscoverPolicing.org, a career site funded by the Department of Justice for aspiring police officers and law enforcement professionals.

Scotus Blog

Web: http://www.scotusblog.com/

The Scotus Blog is the official blog of the US Supreme Court. The blog has a whole staff of writers and editors who summarize the Court’s opinions and round up decisions the justices make. As a good starting point, check out the posts explained in plain English here [http://www.scotusblog.com/category/plain-english/].

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John: I knew when I was a junior in high school that I wanted to go into law enforcement but I was short in size when then most police officers were at least 6 feet tall. Then I was given a unique opportunity. I lived in a newly formed city that was creating its own police dept. The new chief asked for volunteers so I jumped at the chance to be a volunteer dispatcher which led to a scholarship in Police Science which led to becoming a deputy sheriff immediately after graduation. I never thought that I would eventually become a Chief of Police.

CJSO: What are the biggest challenges in the field?

John: One of the most significant challenges facing law enforcement is to stay current with the changes in law. We are undergoing a major change in case law reminicent of the 60′s and lacking direct guidance as to how law enforcement is expected to accomplish its mission. Another challenge is keeping up with technology which has greatly assisted law enforcement.

CJSO: In general, are there any specific traits that work well in criminal justice?

John: If you’re the kind of person that can remain cool and calm under extreme conditions, have the patience of Job, the diplomacy of Lincoln and wisdom of Soloman, then criminal justice might be the career for you.

CJSO: What are some of the common misconceptions about the field?

John: Police work is not about driving fast or shooting guns although there is a small fraction of time when that is required. Police work is about problem solving and helping others to understand our criminal justice system. Most of what we do is interacting with the public on a whole host of issues, providing information and being an official ambassador for the agency you represent.

CJSO: Do you have any parting advice for prospective criminal justice students?

John: If this is a career you would like to pursue stay clear of drugs, obey the law, stay or get in shape, and remember that your most important asset is your personal integrity

John Turner has been in the Criminal Justice field for over 20 years. In those twenty years, he has served his community in a variety of ways. He is a former police officer and chief of police. He has served as the chief criminal investigator for the Washington State Attorney General and has worked with Homeland Security. In 2009, he received a reappointment by Governor Gregoire to the Clemency and Pardons Board. He has been honored with the National Crime Prevention Council Award for Excellence awarded by the National Press Club and was a Finalist for the Community Policing Award given by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

He is currently teaching Introduction to Terrorism at the Everest College Everett Campus.

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CJSO:

Natasha: I became interested in the Criminal Justice realm when I was growing up and watching Law and Order episodes. I was fascinated by the Court interactions and detective work. I seriously began to consider a career in CJ after 9/11 and my first Law and Justice Class in High School. I got accepted into Central Washington University and received my Bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice and then went to Graduate school at Seattle University and received my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. I am now working at a Law firm and teaching in the field!

CJSO: What are the biggest challenges in the field?

Natasha: One of the biggest challenges with the field is that a lot of the Government agencies hire internally. It is hard for a recent graduate to apply for a position in corrections, courts, or probation when internal hiring takes place and with no experience in the field. Breaking into the field can be an issue in the current economy. Another challenge pertains to women because of the dangerous environment; some CJ professions require strength and force. In addition, a lack of rehabilitation in the field regrettably projects a cyclical occurrence of repeat offenders.

CJSO: In general, are there any specific traits that work well in criminal justice?

Natasha: Specific traits that work well in CJ are organization, structure, discipline, understanding of human behavior and criminal theory. Starting with my Bachelors in Law and Justice taught me the essentials of the laws and my Masters trained me in the background and elements of a criminal mind. The theories I learned in my Masters programmed explained to me why or how certain individuals commit crimes in life. Developing a balance between restorative justice and punitive justice traits is beneficial as well.

CJSO: What are some of the common misconceptions about the field?

Natasha: Believing that the every day functions of a detective, attorney, or forensic expert is like an episode of CSI or Law and Order is a misconception of the world of CJ and can be a let down for a perspective CJ individual. Although, I have seen some interesting cases in Court or high profile murder trails; the reality is that most cases are resolved with plea bargains. It is definitely an exciting field but the media sensationalism and Hollywood effects are not always a true reflection of the Criminal Justice realm.

CJSO: Do you have any parting advice for prospective criminal justice students?

Natasha: The best piece of advice I can give to prospective CJ students is to really be interested in the field and distinguish a specific direction. One of the greatest attributes of CJ is that it will never go away. Unfortunately, we will always have crime in our society and the CJ field is enormous; involving careers in policing, courts, corrections, teaching, and terrorism etc. If a student loves the CJ process they can most definitely find their niche in an array of CJ occupations. Also, be able to adapt to laws changing all the time!

Natasha Shafapay earned her undergraduate degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University. While in college, she participated in Students of Color conferences where they traveled to communities in the Northwest educating about police profiling and racial discrimination in the Criminal Justice realm. She also traveled to New Orleans as a member of the Law and Justice Club to assist in recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Natasha then went on to complete her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Seattle University. During her time at Seattle U, Natasha completed an internship with the ACLU of Washington.

Natasha currently teaches Applied Business Law at Everest College-Everett.

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1. Remember the Milk (http://www.rememberthemilk.com)

This website is pretty much like having a to-do list at your beck and call at all times. If you are someone that always forgets to do the small tasks (taking out the cat litter, buying some milk and eggs on the way home, calling your mom, etc.) then this is the perfect app for you. Sure, you do not need this web app in order to keep a to-do list, but the way the site organizes it and allows you to customize it, does make it quite a nifty thing to have at your fingertips all the time.

2. EverNote (http://www.evernote.com)

Much like Remember the Milk, Ever Note is also perfect for the people that always forget something. But, in contrast to Remember the Milk, Ever Note is specifically designed for those people that have post-it notes all over the house and all over their fridge. This is like having a program which keeps track of all your post-it notes, makes digital copies of them and them organizes them according to priority. If that does not sound like a dream to you, then I do not know what else to tell you. Ever Note also allows you to keep pictures along with the notes, which makes it perfect for things like inventories and shopping lists.

3. DropBox (http://www.dropbox.com)

For many students, Drop Box is in fact a god send. This free web app (which even offers more space for students) is the best way to transfer files via sharing computer networks and cloud software. With Drop Box, you no longer have to send a bunch of files via e-mail and hope that you did not forget anything. Instead, you can just drag and drop files into the Drop Box folder and then they are automatically available to whoever you want them to be. Its is really easy to use and operate, and in the end, will save any student quite a bit of time in the process.

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What is criminal justice?

As opposed to criminal law, the criminal justice field tends to have to do more with the policy and procedure side of the criminal career spectrum. Criminal justice is mainly concerned with criminal policy, law enforcement, policing, correctional facility work and court work. Criminal justice is very concerned with the philosophy behind policing, criminal activity and law enforcement, which criminal law is not so much. Some of the most common careers pursued with a criminal justice degree are police officers, correctional officers, investigative detectives and some forensics work and administrative work. Many criminal justice jobs do not require a 4-year degree, as an associate’s degree or technical certificate are the main requirements. The pay fluctuates in the criminal justice sector, but is usually around average to slightly above average.

What is criminal law?

Criminal law is a much more in-depth field, in terms of the education needed to get a job in the field. Most criminal law students go into graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree, rather than just having a Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree. Criminal law is primarily concerned only with the laws in regards to criminal activity, and thus most graduates are lawyers. Criminal law is a much more strict career field, as the options are not as numerous as they are in criminal justice. The criminal law field focuses on the legal implications and ramifications involved in criminal activity, rather than the philosophical and social aspects of criminal behavior. People pursuing a career in criminal law must be very detail-oriented, as research in case and court law is the primary duties of a criminal law professional. Even though criminal law is mostly concerned with training lawyers, or even judges, the skills learned with this degree can lead to jobs in criminal justice, consulting, law enforcement and even in the academic field as a professor or teacher.

Which one is right for you?

If you want to bust criminals and help better the society through being on the streets and making a difference, then you probably want to pursue criminal justice. If you want to learn about the law system and how it is used to in the courts as a social deterrent to crime, criminal law is right for you. The distinctions are fairly obvious, and most students should be able to determine which area they are more interested in.

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1. Go over your notes

Yes, this means you should actually take notes. You can record lectures, and go that route, but studies have shown time and time again that students retain information better when they are actually writing it down and listening to what is being said and what is being taught at the same time. This may seem like an obvious study tip, but many students may take notes, but will not keep them, or will at least not organize them- so they just end up losing them before they could even be used. Do not fall into this trap, as notes can be your best friend when it comes to studying. This is because the notes from lectures are obviously focused on what the professor wants you to know (where as the textbook is not customized in that fashion.) Thus, having notes can save you a lot of time from studying things that will not be on the test.

2. Review homework and past exams

This is especially important for final exams or things like that, in which a test is based on the cumulative knowledge you have received over the entire year, semester or quarter. Going over homework and past exams will allow you to see what you did wrong in the past and will give you insight into what areas of your class you should particularly focus on during study sessions.

3. Do not spend time memorizing

This is one of the biggest mistakes that students make time and time again when studying. Many students feel that a test is just a way to see how much a student can remember, but this is not the case. Most professors strive to have their students understand the subject, rather than just memorize what the subject is about. If you can understand something, then you do not need to memorize it, and you will likely do very well on the tests and exams and studying will be a much easier process for you.

4. Get a group

Having study buddies or a study group can go a long way in helping you study and understand the subjects better. This is because each individual person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and when you get a group together, you can use everyone’s individual strengths to improve the overall group and their studying habits. It also keeps you on point and makes you take time out of your life to sit down and study.

5. Go somewhere quiet

No t.v. No music. No computer. Find a place to study that is peaceful and quiet.

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1. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

This is the most typical job that criminal justice graduates go into after school. The growth of the job as a police or sheriff officer is just about average, which means it is not as in demand as other criminal justice jobs, but it all depends on the area in which you are applying to work. For instance, there is demand for officers in the areas around the Mexican and Canadian borders, but there may not be much demand in urban areas like Chicago or New York. But, once you are in the department, job security is very good and you may even have a job for the rest of your life- if you want. Also, the salary is not too shabby, with an average of just over $60,000 a year.

2. Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

These positions are perfect for people who are more interested in the social work aspect of criminal justice. The pay is somewhat low for these jobs compared to others in the field, at just under $50,000, but the work is very rewarding and often challenging, which appeals to a very specific kind of person.

3. Loss Prevention Manager

This is one of the quickest growing, and most in demand, jobs in the criminal justice career field. The job is not really the most exciting, since most of them require you to bust shoplifters at big retail stores, but the pay is pretty good- at just over $50,000 a year. Also, since the job is in such high demand, the job security is very good, and the opportunity to use this experience to get an even better criminal justice job is great. This is a perfect job for a new criminal justice graduate, since it will teach them a lot about the social aspects of criminal justice, without putting them right into the line of fire.

4. Security Officer

Security may not be the most glamorous job, but it is one of the most common jobs that criminal justice students get right out of college. The opportunities are vast, the work is often fairly boring (depending on where you work,) and the pay leaves a lot to be desired- at just over $30,000 a year. It is one of the lowest paying jobs in the criminal justice field, but it is also one of the easiest to get- and it is possible to move up the ladder, or parlay security experience into getting a better job in the field at a later date.

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If you have not seen the show, which has now been spun-off into 4 or 5 shows, it is about the tools that crime scene investigators use in order to solve cases (like murders, rapes, etc.) Much of the technology they use in the show does not really exist, and much of the theory they use is not actually what real crime scene investigators do. To be fair, the t.v. show is only meant to be entertainment masked as pseudoscience and science fiction, but the problem is that the general public does not know that, or at least has a tough time differentiating the fact from the fiction. Because of this, there are many myths that surround what crime scene investigators actually do, and about the limits of forensic science.

Myth #1: Forensics is not full-proof

Many people believe that forensic evidence is the end all and be all of crime investigation, but this is not always the case. In fact, when DNA testing became the norm, it was found that many previous cases that were based on forensic evidence only, were in fact wrong and the wrong person was put in jail because of it. Of course, DNA is now a normal part of forensic science, and thus instances have been cut down, but still forensic evidence is not the only evidence that should be used to make decisions in court.

Myth #2: C.S.I. has it tough

The t.v. show makes the job look rugged and somewhat glamorous, but in real life it is a tough gig. Most C.S.I. offices are way overburdened, severely understaffed and are routinely placed in high pressure, high stress situations. Because of this, many labs around the country have been stripped of funding and have been accused of making mistakes, and in some cases outright fraud.

Myth #3: Forensics is looser than you think

Sure, all the jargon thrown out by C.S.I. sound scientific enough, and in many cases it is. But, when you look deeper into forensic science, you will find that much of it is in fact based on loose, flexible science that does not quite stand up to scientific method. Blood spatter analysis, handwriting analysis and bite marks all sounds like they are based on science, but in reality many forensic experts do not even have advanced degrees in science. The research behind the methods used in forensics have not stood the test of time yet in science fields, and the act of using forensic evidence to come to an exact conclusion, is in fact, oftentimes not exact at all- as many forensics experts have made mistakes in the past.

The post 5 Common Myths About Being a CSI appeared first on CriminalJusticeSchoolsOnline.net.

The History of Criminal Justice in Florida

As the state of Florida is the closest state to the border of Cuba and some other South American countries, it has been the epicenter of drug smuggling until recent history. The diversity of the Florida population- especially in the areas around Miami- as well as the sheer size of the state, makes it a breeding ground for crime and criminals. With so much coastline, it has always been a tough state to protect in terms of its borders, since it is so close to other countries. There are actually some entire police forces whose sole job is to just drive around in a boat and patrol over the coastlines- especially in the Gulf Coast and the areas near Miami and the Florida Keys.

Criminal Justice Education

Florida has about 80 schools and educational institutions that offer educational opportunities in criminal justice, which is a somewhat smaller number than you might expect from a state with such a high population. But, never the less, there are still quite a few options for students interested in pursuing a criminal justice education. Degrees that are offered in the field of criminal justice range anywhere from 2-year certificates, training programs and associate’s degrees, to full-on bachelor’s degrees and other college degrees. There are a number of options that can meet the financial needs of all students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Being fluent in Spanish is a big plus in the state of Florida.

The Future of Criminal Justice in Florida

Overall, Florida ranks among the 10 least safest states in the country, due to high crime rates in the many urban areas the span the state. Because of this, criminal justice professionals are in very high demand right now, and probably well into the future as well.

University of Phoenix

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has locations nationwide, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• A.A. in Criminal Justice
• BS in Criminal Justice Administration - Security
• B.S in Criminal Justice Administration/Cybercrimes
• And more...

Locations: Miami, Hollywood, Jacksonville, More...

Southwest Florida College

Southwest Florida College is listening to employers and striving to embrace what they say are the skills that students need upon graduating. Upon completion of the program, graduates can possess the knowledge and skills that their respective industry expects.

Programs:

• A.S. - Criminal Justice

Locations: Fort Myers

Florida Technical College

Florida Technical College has structured its Health Care, Technology, and Programming curricula to achieve one thing for its students: success in the real world.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice with Emphasis on Homeland Security

Locations: DeLand, Lakeland, Orlando

Keiser University

For over 35 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, quality career education. Keiser University Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for in-demand professions.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice, BA
• Criminal Justice, MA (Online Only)
• Homeland Security, BA (Online)
• And more...

Everest University

At Everest University you can get a higher education designed to meet the demands of employers in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice Private & Homeland Security
• Master of Science Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice
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Locations: Jacksonville, Lakeland, Tampa, More...

Keiser University Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's in demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Hybrid)
• Criminal Justice, MA
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice (Hybrid)
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Locations: Orlando, Lakeland, Daytona Beach, More...

Post University

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• B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
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Strayer University

Visit www.strayer.edu

Continue your education with Strayer University. We offer convenient degree options designed with the working adult in mind — study online, on campus in the evening and weekends, or through a combination of both.

Programs:

• AA: Criminal Justice
• BSCJ: Criminal Justice Admin
• BBA: Legal Studies
• And more...

Locations: Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, More...

DeVry University

Visit www.DeVry.edu

DeVry University provides quality education that employers respect, and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org), the same organization that accredits many other well-known public and private schools.

Programs:

• Bachelor's - Justice Administration
• Bachelor's - Justice Administration
• Bachelor's - Business Administration - Security Management

Locations: Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, More...

Argosy University

Welcome to Argosy University

Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its seven colleges: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Undergraduate Studies, The Art Institute of California and Western State College of Law as well as certificate programs in many areas.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice (BS) (Online)
• Criminal Justice (BS)
• Criminal Justice (AS)
• And more...

Locations: Tampa, Sarasota

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