Administration of Justice
17 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
AJ 041 Effective Written Communication for Public Service Personnel
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
This course provides Administration of Justice students an overview of writing techniques for the communication of facts and information in a criminal justice setting, including the correct usage of words and proper sentence structure. Emphasis is placed on law enforcement-specific terms, phrases, and spelling. Topics include but are not limited to crime reports, investigative follow-up reports, traffic collision reports, background investigative summations and recommendations, internal investigative summations and recommendations, press releases, and inter-agency criminal activity crime bulletins.
AJ 101 Introduction to Administration of Justice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 110
This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system of the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the criminal justice system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces which have shaped these principles and approaches. Although justice structure and process is examined in a cross-cultural context, emphasis is placed on the justice system of the United States, and particularly the structure and function of the police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, sentencing, and incarceration policies.
AJ 102 Criminal Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 122
This course provides students with an in-depth study of the legal responsibilities of law enforcement. Emphasis is placed on the judicial segment of the administration of justice system. Topics include laws of arrest, custody, and analyses of the past, present, and future procedures for each subsystem within the administration of justice system, from initial entry to final disposition. The relationship each segment maintains with system members is also covered.
AJ 104 Legal Aspects of Evidence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 124
This course provides students with an in-depth study of evidence rules. Emphasis is placed on the application of rules in preparing and presenting evidence. The course will discuss the history and approach to the study of evidence. Topics include proof by evidence and substitutes, general admissibility tests, evidence by way of witness testimony, documents, real evidence, and exclusion of evidence on constitutional grounds. For a better understanding of the evidence rules, judicial decisions are cited, and students are required to brief cases.
AJ 105 Community Relations/Multicultural Issues Within Public Service
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 160
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 covered may include crime prevention, restorative justice, conflict resolution, and ethics.
AJ 106 Criminal Law I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 120
This course presents an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and takes up the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification and general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. The course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law, and its successful completion is a foundation upon which more advanced criminal justice courses will build. The course also includes some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes.
AJ 107 Criminal Law II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of criminal statutes and their definition. Topics include classification as applied to the system of administration of justice and crimes against persons and property. General statutes, health and safety statutes, and other state and federal laws are discussed.
AJ 135 Crime Scene Investigation I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 102
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an introduction to forensic science and its role in criminal investigations. The course examines the basic methods of collecting, analyzing, and reporting evidence. Through the development of practical skills in crime scene techniques, it addresses topics including computer crimes; biological evidence like fingerprints, blood, the skeleton, tooth marks, and hair; pathology and toxicology; and evidence associated with forensic chemistry like fibers and traces, discharged firearms, accelerants, and illicit drugs.
AJ 136 Crime Scene Investigation II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- AJ 135
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of Crime Scene Investigation I (AJ 135). It provides an introduction to and opportunities for the practical application of advanced forensics in criminal investigations, as well as interview and interrogation techniques utilized after crime scene analysis and crime reconstruction. The course focuses on forensic methods, with topics that include crime scene analysis, responsibilities, and processing; physical, testimonial, trace, impression, and firearms evidence; blood and bodily fluids; arson; illicit drugs and clandestine laboratories; and sexual assaults, domestic abuse, burglaries, and homicides.
AJ 207 Juvenile Law and Procedure
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 220
This course is designed to provide Administration of Justice or other interested students with techniques for handling juvenile offenders and victims. Emphasis is placed on the prevention and repression of delinquency, diagnosis and referral of juvenile offenders, and organization of community resources. Juvenile law and juvenile court procedures are contrasted with adult law procedures.
AJ 208 Principles of Investigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 140
This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime. The topics covered include the 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 215 Vice and Narcotics Control
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of code and case law of vice and narcotics. The course will focus on detection, suppression, apprehension, and prosecution of violators. Special emphasis will be placed on laws dealing with gambling, prostitution, sex crimes, narcotic identification, and search and seizure.
AJ 228 Police Field Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- AJ 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the history and development of police field operations. Particular emphasis is placed on planning field activities. Topics include the functions of patrol, traffic, and other preliminary investigative duties of the field officer. The techniques of planning for patrol operations and handling requests for service, vehicular traffic-related problems, and civil and domestic disturbances are also presented.
AJ 250 Contemporary Issues in the Criminal Justice System
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.; AJ 101, AJ 102
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide Administration of Justice or other interested students with an in-depth understanding of personal and organizational values, beliefs, attitudes and ethics as they affect contemporary issues in the criminal justice system. Particular emphasis is placed on the historical foundations that serve as a basis for contemporary decision making. Specific issues taken up in discussions will vary from semester to semester.
AJ 275 Introduction to Forensic Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 150
This course prepares administration of justice, forensic science, and California peace officer students for the Forensic Science Identification Program. The course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations, examining methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, questioned documents, and controlled substances.
AJ 290 Work Experience Education/Internship for Administration of Justice-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the fields of law enforcement or administration of justice, and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.
AJ 299 Directed Study: Administration of Justice
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title V regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.