What You Will Learn
Get to know the legal system!
The Criminal Justice-Legal Assistant program provides you with a solid background in the legal system. Students study legal topics within the criminal, civil and family court systems. The program equips you with a strong foundation in different types of law, how cases are investigated and prepared, negotiated and taken to court. You will also gain extensive knowledge in research, legal writing, preparing a case and litigation procedures and can put these skills to immediate use in your legal system career.
Curriculum
Our Criminal Justice-Legal Assistant Certification of Achievement program features a 18-credit curriculum, including courses such as Criminal Law and Procedure, Business Law and Fundamentals of Law.
Learn a foundation in the law, litigation and procedures with a strong emphasis on legal ethics. Students are specifically trained to work with attorneys in preparation of legal cases and law office management. Graduates gain extensive knowledge in research, legal writing, preparing a case and litigation procedures and can put these skills to immediate use in their legal system career.
Careers in the Field
A Certificate of Achievement within our Criminal Justice program gives you a solid foundation to launch a career as a:
- Case Manager
- Claims Examiner
- Clerk of the Court
- Legal Assistant / Paralegal
- Paralegal
- Legislative Analyst
- Human Relations Specialist
- Legal Research Specialist
Why Study Criminal Justice at CCM?
- The department’s goal is to give you the academic preparation necessary to be successful in this field. We rely heavily on our experience as professionals to demonstrate the applicability of the material to the real world of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
- Our full time faculty are retired criminal justice professionals with many years of experience in a variety of different areas and many of our adjuncts are current practitioners.
- Morris County is home to the third highest number of attorneys in the state providing numerous employment opportunities during your studies and after earning the certificate.
- This program is available on campus and online giving flexible learning options.
Paying for Your Criminal Justice Education
Earning a certificate of achievement is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Litigation Procedures
This course is an introduction to the legal system with a focus on the New Jersey Court System. A review of substantive areas of law and application of procedural concepts from initiation of a lawsuit through entry of judgment will be undertaken. The course will also address the process of client interviewing, investigation, drafting of pleadings and other documents, and preparation for trialrn
Fundamentals of Law
Fundamentals of Law is an introduction to the court system and the principles of substantive law in the field of contracts, torts, property, and family law.rn
Business Law I
This course is a basic study of the fundamentals of legal liability, the growth of our legal system, and the legal rights, duties and obligations of the individual. Specifically covered are law and society, contracts, agency and employment. Where applicable, the Uniform Commercial Code is used as the basis for statutory interpretation
Your Legal Assistant Faculty Advisor
Broderick, J.D., Catherine
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Chair, Associate Professor