Preface

Overview: Methodology and Approach

Your attention is invited to a textbook which 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 further explains the police and community relations social dynamic, and provides various examples of mission, philosophy and objectives of the criminal justice system for the reader’s consideration. The textbook 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 to addressing criminal justice issues in the United States.

“Introduction to Criminal Justice in America” is an Open Educational Resources (OER) document licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC 4.0) format. It is a free academic resource-a free textbook for your use. It is adaptable-you may print this textbook at a nominal cost should you choose to use a paper edition. The Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, in cooperation with the authors and their colleges, have developed and reviewed this textbook for accessibility to all students. The textbook project was supported by a Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant from the United States Department of Education, entitled “Open Textbook Pilot Program” (FY2021).

Objectives

A unique approach was employed to the development of this introductory textbook. The resource was co-authored by distinguished scholars, as well as professors and practitioners in criminal justice programs and departments across Washington state. The learning objectives and outcomes are modeled after the work identified by the Criminal Justice Core Curriculum Workgroup conducted under the auspices of the Center for Excellence-Homeland Security Emergency Management, located at Pierce College in Lakewood, WA. The materials in this textbook meet, and in many cases, exceed the learning outcomes outlined by the collaborating colleges supporting pursuit of a community college Associate in Arts and Science or Associate of Science degree programs, or in a community college AAS-T (Direct transfer course of study in Criminal Justice). The materials cover a range of topics not typically found in an introductory course but are crucial for the long-term goal of placing knowledgeable, well-trained entry-level practitioners in all areas of the legal system.

While the purpose of this textbook is to introduce readers to the history and foundational elements of the legal system, differing from other materials in its contemporary approach to learning and reader relevance. The textbook values examination of current events and includes coverage of some controversial topics commonly excluded from introductory texts. Institutional memory, best practices in public safety, and statistical data are incorporated in ways intended to provide an unbiased, yet unvarnished, viewpoint of the current status of the criminal legal system today. The authors have made a concerted effort to make this textbook comprehensive in order to cover core concepts found in the disciplines of criminal justice: history, theory, data, policing, corrections, courts, community corrections, and innovation to name a few. Call-out boxes with topics such as “Impactful Moments in Criminal Justice”, “Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice”, and “Careers in Criminal Justice”, are provided to add emphasis to topics and stimulate critical thinking. Through these carefully-crafted workplace examples, the authors have attempted to create a work that is relatable and relevant to its readers.

Instructors will also find value in using this textbook as it is flexible, allowing for use in either the quarter or semester college system structure. The textbook is intended to be logically sequenced, with each section providing an overview, a glossary and listing of key terms, critical thinking questions intended to support increased classroom or online student participation, engaging assignments, and supportive systems. This includes links to multimedia sites, and images intended to support engagement and experiential learning, and the aforementioned ethical dilemmas and critical thinking opportunities. This textbook is easily editable for updates and changes in law or legal practices, in an effort to maintain current.

The authors invite your questions. For general inquiries about the book’s development, please email Ms. Monique Belair at mbelair@sbctc.edu. For questions specific to a chapter, feel free to contact any of the authors directly.

A Note to Our Readers on the Topic of Issues

Society is inherently in constant change, driven largely by technological advancements, the exploration and expression of our identities. Profound are the impacts of the social changes happening around us. Changing conditions, politics, impacts of crime, and differing viewpoints often lead to disagreement between individuals and groups. While some of these disagreements are relatively minor and can be resolved through civil discourse, others stem from more deeply-rooted, complex, or personally sensitive issues that are hotly contested. Some controversies can be discussed, found to be simple misunderstandings, and result in a change of viewpoint within minutes. Some difficult and complex topics include racial and gender inequity, police and community relations, and in some cases, the reshaping of the social contract between them. Other examples include exploring the purposes of incarceration, as well as examining charging and sentencing discretion within the courtroom—topics that have been pivotal issues in criminal justice reform for decades.

Readers are encouraged to contemplate the definition and elements that constitute an “issue”. The terms “perspective”, “point of view”, and “viewpoint” are commonly used to frame discussions regarding an issue. While each term carries distinct meaning, aligning them can often provide clarity on the matter. Also important are ‘background’ (the historical context of the subject or the individual advocating it) and ‘context’ (how the situation differs if the event occurred in 1824 compared to the present? How might the situation differ if the parties advocating their views consider adopting the opposite perspective?) A visual demonstration of perspective is illustrated in the figure below.

Textbook Goals

While there are numerous textbooks covering a wide range of topics in criminal justice, such as criminology, policing, corrections, courts, and criminal law, there is a notable lack of OER textbooks on these subjects. In early discussions with the support team about the rationale behind creating an Introduction to Criminal Justice OER textbook, the authors expressed various reasons for its necessity. Despite originating from diverse communities and schools across the state of Washington, common themes for the textbook’s need emerged. These included:

• Traditional textbooks often exceeded student affordability, posing financial challenges.
• Equity issues arose between students who could afford textbooks and those who couldn’t.
• Textbook content could become outdated by the time they were acquired.
• Printed textbooks were often deemed ineffective in addressing diverse learning challenges.
• Lack of a standard statewide textbook led to gaps and discrepancies in instruction.
• Existing textbooks did not always align with the goals and desired learning outcomes of the Criminal Justice Curriculum Workgroup in Washington state.

We hope that your exploration of the history, concepts, and foundational knowledge presented in this textbook will deepen your understanding of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States of America.

Image Attribution for Cover Page

Photo by Joel & Jasmin Førestbird on Unsplash