About Criminal Justice Class Activities

Criminal justice classes are beneficial to a wide range of careers. Lawyers, police officers, officers of the court system and private detectives are careers that benefit from knowledge gained in these classes. Criminal justice programs focus on the best way to deal with criminals in society while protecting the public at large.

Observation

A popular classroom technique is to stage a mock crime. Roles are assigned to the various class members and the remainder serves as witness. The teacher will ask the witnesses questions about the details of the crime. It is useful for participants to see that frequently crime details are inaccurately described, and that sometimes the victim and the perpetrator are confused. Selecting a criminal from a lineup is another popular and useful observation activity.

Internet

Internet activities are great for helping in the exploration of past criminal activities. Each student, or pair of students, is assigned a famous trial. Discussions about the outcome and whether it would have the same result today are used to explore historical knowledge. Students can also track the differences and similarities between trials.

Role-play

Teachers and students can participate in a mock trial to explore intricacies of the legal system. This helps students process information as attorneys for both sides of the argument. They practice how to testify, which is an integral part of many law enforcement jobs. Additionally, they become comfortable with court proceedings and the justice system. Students can also prepare briefs for the court cases, gaining valuable hands-ion experience.