CJCriminal JusticeGrace Hopper Center · APS

Virginia Department of Education

Criminal Justice I & II Competencies

Our two-year sequence follows the Virginia Department of Education CTE competencies. Here is what students are expected to know and be able to do.

Criminal Justice I

Workplace readiness

  • Demonstrate positive work ethic, integrity, and professionalism
  • Apply teamwork, conflict resolution, and customer-service skills
  • Communicate clearly in writing and in speech
  • Practice safety, first aid/CPR awareness, and personal wellness

Foundations of the justice system

  • Describe the history and purpose of the criminal justice system
  • Explain the three components: law enforcement, courts, corrections
  • Identify federal, state, and local agency roles and jurisdictions
  • Describe career pathways, hiring standards, and background requirements

Law and constitutional rights

  • Distinguish criminal from civil law; felony from misdemeanor
  • Explain the Bill of Rights protections that govern police action
  • Describe search and seizure, Miranda warnings, and due process
  • Apply ethics and discretion to real-world scenarios

Patrol and response fundamentals

  • Describe patrol procedures and officer safety practices
  • Perform basic traffic stop and contact procedures in simulation
  • Write accurate, objective field notes and incident reports
  • Explain the role of dispatch and emergency communications

Criminal Justice II

Crime scene investigation

  • Secure, document, and search a crime scene
  • Photograph, sketch, and measure a scene to scale
  • Collect, package, and label physical evidence
  • Maintain chain of custody documentation

Forensic science applications

  • Classify fingerprint patterns and lift latent prints
  • Roll legible inked fingerprints on an FD-258 card
  • Describe DNA, trace, and impression evidence analysis
  • Explain the role of the forensic laboratory and expert testimony

Courts and legal process

  • Describe the criminal court process from arrest to appeal
  • Explain rules of evidence and courtroom roles
  • Prepare and deliver testimony in a mock trial
  • Describe the juvenile justice system and its differences

Corrections and community

  • Describe jail, prison, probation, and parole operations
  • Explain rehabilitation, reentry, and recidivism
  • Analyze community policing and crime prevention strategies
  • Develop a career plan, resume, and interview readiness

Official state resources

The competency lists above summarize what we teach. The Virginia Department of Education publishes the official task and competency lists for these courses.

VDOE Career & Technical Educationdoe.virginia.gov