NCJ Number
13355
Date Published
1973
Length
84 pages
Annotation
SELF-INSTRUCTION COURSE FOR POLICEMEN CONSISTING OF TWENTY-FOUR LESSONS RECORDED ON TWELVE AUDIO-TAPE CASSETTES, PLUS AN ACCOMPANYING WORKBOOK.
Abstract
A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS INDISPENSIBLE FOR THE POLICE OFFICER TO UNDERSTAND HIS ROLE AND EFFECTIVELY PERFORM HIS FUNCTION. THE FORMAT OF THE COURSE ENCOURAGES THE STUDENT'S PARTICIPATION IN THE LEARNING PROCESS BY OFFERING QUESTIONS AND AUTOMATICALLY STOPPING THE AUDIO PRESENTATION TO FACILITATE REVIEW AND WRITTEN RESPONSES. THE COURSE PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS, BEGINNING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ENACTING CRIMINAL STATUTES, AND ENDING WITH THE FINAL POSTCONVICTION REMEDIES AFFORDED AN OFFENDER. THE NARRATOR PRESENTS THE LEGAL DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIME AND EXPLAINS HOW DISTINCTIONS AND VARIATIONS AFFECT THE DAILY FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE OFFICER. THE ARREST AND APPREHENSION FUNCTION IS DESCRIBED AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, SUCH AS STOP AND FRISK, PROBABLE CAUSE, AND THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE, ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. THE STUDENT IS THEN LED THROUGH THE ACCUSED'S INITIAL APPEARANCE BEFORE A MAGISTRATE, THE PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROCESS, THE PRELIMINARY HEARING, AND THE ARRAIGNMENT. LESSONS ON THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO COUNSEL EMPHASIZE THE POLICEMAN'S INTERACTION WITH OTHERS IN THE PROCESS. THE COURSE OUTLINES THE PRE-TRIAL, TRIAL, APPEAL, AND SENTENCING PROCEDURES, AND CONCLUDES WITH A DISCUSSION OF CORRECTIONS AND POST-CONVICTION PROCEDURES. THIS OBJECTIVE PRESENTATION OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS WILL BE A VALUABLE LEARNING TOOL NOT ONLY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, BUT FOR ANYONE SEEKING AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (SNI ABSTRACT)