College of Criminal Justice - Open & Free Materials by Course: Criminal Justice & Criminology

This OER covers law enforcement, criminal courts, sentencing, penal institutions, and community-based sanctions. It also includes historical and contemporary perspectives on components of the criminal justice system, as well as the legal and constitutional frameworks in which they operate.

• Open License: CC BY-SA
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This introductory criminal justice textbook serves as a comprehensive resource for students to explore the key areas of the American criminal justice system. Students will examine the roles of the police, courts, corrections, and juvenile law. Additionally, the book introduces criminal theory, data, and legal principles. Beyond just studying these topics, students will have the opportunity to investigate potential careers and reflect on their roles and opinions within our legal system. Reference existing instructor coursepacks:

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• Open License: CC-BY-NC-SA

Offers a contemporary approach to learning the foundational elements of the criminal and civil systems found in the administration of justice in the United States of America. Contained in this textbook are the historical background and traditional framework that has led to the current criminal legal system as we know it. The book provides various examples of mission, philosophy and objectives of the criminal justice system, then extends to a forward-facing look to the future, examining societal trends, contemporary and controversial matters, and new approaches meant to create a more healthy and sustainable approach.

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Provides a foundation for understanding the origins, evolution, and current status of criminological theories. Explains the field of criminology and influential theories in context, with real-life examples and activities. All content is delivered through a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Reference existing instructor coursepacks:

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Introduction to Criminal Investigation, Processes, Practices, and Thinking is a teaching text designed to assist the student in developing their own structured mental map of processes, practices, and thinking to conduct criminal investigations. Rod Gehl, is a retired police Inspector, and an instructor of criminal investigation for International Programs and the Law Enforcement Studies Program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Darryl Plecas is Professor Emeritus at University of the Fraser Valley where he worked for 34 years, most recently holding the Senior University Research Chair (RCMP) and Directorship of the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research.

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An open textbook for undergraduate Criminal Procedure courses that are typically required of criminal justice majors. Seeks to make undergraduates familiar with judicial reasoning as well as the definitions of rights relevant to individuals who are drawn into contact with criminal justice officials. Gives significant attention to police procedures and individual rights under the Fourth Amendment related to searches, including when warrant searches are permissible. Also covers rights in the context of police interrogation; exclusionary rule, right to counsel, plea bargaining, and trial rights; and rights related to sentencing.

• Open License: CC-BY-NC-SA

In this book, you will examine the moral and ethical issues that exist within law enforcement. This book will also familiarize you with the basic history, principles, and theories of ethics. These concepts will then be applied to the major components of the criminal justice system: policing, the courts, and corrections. Discussion will focus on personal values, individual responsibility, decision making, discretion, and the structure of accountability. Specific topics covered will include core values, codes of conduct, ethical dilemmas, organizational consequences, liability, and the importance of critical thinking. By the end of this book, you will be able to distinguish and critically debate contemporary ethical issues in law enforcement.

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Introductory textbook exploring the management and treatment of people with mental disorders throughout the criminal justice system. Reference existing instructor coursepacks:

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• Open License: CC-BY-NC
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