This course is packed with current, real-world examples of ethical dilemmas and decisions in Criminal Justice offering a comprehensive, balanced, and practical coverage of ethics across all three arms of the criminal justice system: the police, the courts and corrections. Students will develop philosophical principles and theories that are the foundation of ethical decision-making, as well as the latest challenges and issues in criminal justice -- the militarization of the police, mass imprisonment, wrongful convictions, the misuse of power by elected officials and/or other public servants, and more. The course will provide insightful information about recent examples of misconduct. Students will understand the significance of ethics in today's criminal justice arena.
Ethical issues exist in all areas of the criminal justice system (from passage of laws to punishment). This course will provide critical insight into learning how to determine the “right thing to do”, that criminal justice professionals have varying degrees of discretion, authority, and power and encounter a multitude of situations in which they must make choices that affect people’s lives. Provide explanations of the difference between ethical issues and ethical dilemmas. Provide examples of how discretion permeates every phase of the criminal justice system and creates ethical dilemmas for criminal justice professionals. Provide understanding of ethics and the importance of certain terms, such as, morals, ethics, duties, supererogatories, and values. Provide descriptions of behaviors that might be subject to moral/ethical judgments. Developing a good understanding of discretion, the authority to make a choice between two or more choices and how this relates to all areas of the criminal justice system; Legislators in making laws and determining punishment; Police: in enforcing laws; Attorneys and Judges: affecting the justice process; Correctional Professionals: affecting offenders’ lives; Provide understanding of the commonalities within criminal justice professionals, power to make decisions, duty to enforce the law, obligation to provide “due process” and “equal protection” for all and commitment to “public service.
Pollock, J., Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice. 11th Edition, (The course text is included in Day One Access).
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Lectures, discussions, films, assignments, quizzes, case law research, guest lecturers
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Intellectual Property Rights Statement:
The student shall retain all rights to work created in conjunction with the instructional process and/or while using college technology resources.