# Criminal Justice (CJ) courses Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 21 courses Source: https://sac.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/36813/36822/36844 "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027. ### CJ 098 — Topics Course - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules Varies with topic. ### CJ 101 — Introduction to Criminal Justice - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 8 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 9 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the 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 that have shaped those principles and approaches. Although justice structure and process are examined in a cross cultural context, emphasis is placed on the US justice system, particularly the structure and function of US police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies. ### CJ 101H — Honors Introduction to Criminal Justice - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** A college GPA or high school GPA for first term college students of 3.0 or higher - **C-ID:** AJ 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules Honors-level enriched content regarding the complexities of the criminal justice system. Increased focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines and appraises the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces that have shaped those principles and approaches. Although justice structure and process are examined in a cross cultural context, increased emphasis is placed on the US justice system, particularly the structure and function of US police, courts, and corrections. Students will also examine the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies. ### CJ 102 — Introduction to Corrections - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 200 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) This course provides a history of and critical analysis of punishment, the various types of punishment, alternatives to punishment, and the impact of punishment on the criminal justice system, corrections, a critical examination of the types of correctional institutions and the clients housed in each institution, and an examination of contemporary correctional issues. ### CJ 103 — Concepts of Criminal Law - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 120 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 3 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) This course offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice course will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes. ### CJ 103H — Honors Concepts of Criminal Law - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** A college GPA or high school GPA for first term college students of 3.0 or higher - **C-ID:** AJ 120 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules Honors-level enriched content that offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice courses will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision-making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes. ### CJ 104 — Prison Experience - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** Completion with a grade of "C" or better or a Passing grade in: Full background check required - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules A practical and in-depth study of adult corrections in the United States. This class includes field trips to jails and prisons in the surrounding area, with follow-up analysis, discussion, and written assignments. Full background check required for access to facilities. ### CJ 105 — Legal Aspects of Evidence - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 124 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) This course examines categories of evidence and legal rules governing its admission and exclusion in the criminal process. ### CJ 106 — Coroner Death Investigations - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) The investigation of homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural deaths. Emphasis on evidence collection and identification of cause of death. Topics include violent crime wounds, fire and electrical wounds, traffic collision fatalities, buried bodies, skeletal remains, and autopsy protocols. Field trip may be required. ### CJ 107 — Principles and Procedures in the Criminal Justice System - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 122 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) An examination and analysis of due process in criminal proceedings from pre-arrest through trial and appeal, utilizing statutory law and state and constitutional law precedents. (Same as Paralegal 107.) ### CJ 108 — Crime Scene Investigation - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 150 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) 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. ### CJ 109 — Community Interaction - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 160 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) 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. ### CJ 109H — Honors Community Interaction - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** A college GPA or high school GPA for first term college students of 3.0 or higher - **C-ID:** AJ 160 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules Honors-level enriched content regarding community interaction. This course examines and evaluates the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict, with an increased emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics will include the consensus and conflicting values in culture, religion, and law. ### CJ 110 — Street Gangs - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) An examination of street gangs in the United States, with emphasis on California and the local area. Topics include ethnic gangs, taggers, hate groups, and prison gangs, and current efforts to suppress their criminal activities, via enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention. ### CJ 120 — Work Experience - Criminal Justice - **Units:** 1-4 - **Hours:** 54-216 Lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - (Pass/No Pass Only) This work experience course of supervised employment is designed to assist students to acquire desirable work habits, attitudes and skills in a field related to the students’ major so as to enable them to become productive employees. This course also provides students with career awareness for jobs. 54 hours of work equals one unit of course credit. Student repetition is allowed per Title 5, Section 55253. Students may earn a maximum of 14 units of credit for work experience. Background check may be required by the agency where students are completing the Work Experience hours. ### CJ 148 — Report Writing for Criminal Justice Personnel - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** Completion with a grade of "C" or better or a Passing grade in: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) To develop practical, precise report writing techniques as well as general writing skills applicable to law enforcement and corrections. This course is offered once each academic year, typically spring. Students should discuss enrollment with an academic counselor. ### CJ 198 — Topic Course - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules Varies with course. ### CJ 205 — Criminal Investigation Principles - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 140 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) 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. ### CJ 209 — Organized Crime - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) In-depth study of the development and methodology of international organized crime. Host countries and areas include: Italy, Sicily, Japan, China, Colombia, Mexico, Russia, Haiti, Cayman Islands, and Caribbean. Emphasis on economic and societal impacts on the United States. ### CJ 210 — Drug Abuse and Criminal Justice - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/spring-2027/cj.md) Study of the recognition, identification, and effects of illegal drugs: opiates, marijuana, hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants. Emphasis will also be placed on investigation techniques, use of informants, search warrants, and treatment. ### CJ 220 — Juvenile Delinquency and Control - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **C-ID:** AJ 220 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/santa-ana-college/schedule/fall-2026/cj.md) This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the Juvenile Justice system as it evolved in the American justice system. The course explores the theories that focus on Juvenile Law, courts and processes, and the Constitutional protections extended to juveniles administered in the American justice system.