The Many Faces of Criminal Justice

ALCOHOL EVALUATOR: Individual who evaluates a persons relationship to alcohol (and/ or drugs). (DRUG EVALUATOR)

BAILIFF: an officer of the court who serves as a messenger for the judge and an usher for the courtroom. Sometimes armed for security.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS: individual who works with offenders on probation or parole in the community, some of whom are living in halfway houses. Several different settings are possible for employment in community corrections. Different levels of education are required from certificate to higher degrees.

COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION SPECIALIST: individual who works with those who have served their sentence in prison and are trying to come back into the community. Convicts need help in finding employment, housing and staying out of legal trouble. The Denver Women’s Facility is one example of an employment site for this type of work.

CORRECTIONS OFFICER: One who is in charge of maintaining persons in a prison facility. The Colorado Department of Corrections also operates community based facilities as well as all security levels of prisons.

CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN: Criminalist who utilizes forensic chemistry/ criminalistics to find clues and gather evidence left at the scene of a crime. Some positions require strong science background (biology, chemistry, physics) but not all.

COURT REPORTER: A stenographer who records and transcribes on a stenograph verbatim all statements and testimony in court.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY: an attorney who presents an argument in support of justification of the accused.

DETENTIONS OFFICER: One who is in charge of maintaining persons in a jail (detention facility). Adults or juveniles. May also include workender, weekender and work release clients.

DISPATCHER: Someone who dispatches or sends information with promptness and speed. Information such as incoming 911 emergency calls. Dispatchers work with law enforcement agencies, fire departments, ambulance services and other first line response programs.

INTAKE PERSONNEL: individual who does intake paperwork for prisons, jails, pretrial release etc. for defendants or sentenced offenders.

INVESTIGATOR: Someone who observes and studies something by close examination and systematic inquiry to find out facts about a certain crime. May be employed by district attorneys, defense council, law enforcement agencies or the private sector.

JUDGE: A public official who listens to, decides on, and imposes penalties in the court room. Is an attorney.

JUVENILE YOUTH WORKER: One who works with juveniles (10-18 years old) who are involved with the Criminal Justice System, from diversion through parole reintegration. Numerous work settings for working with juveniles with educational requirements of 30 college credits in Criminal Justice to doctorate degrees.

LEGAL ASSISTANT: Individual who assists Attorneys (Legal secretary).

PARALEGAL: A paraprofessional who assists Attorneys (Legal research).

PAROLE OFFICER: an officer appointed to investigate, report on, and supervise the conduct of individuals on conditional release from prison who are serving an intermediate or unexpired sentence (parole). This officer carries a gun.

POLICE OFFICER: a member of a police force who is trained and entrusted by the government with maintenance of order (peace keeping), enforcement of laws and community service (public service). Officers also work to prevent and detect crime. Must attend a Police Officer Standards of Training (POST) certified police academy. RRCC has one here on campus.

PRETRIAL SERVICES: Individuals who provide supervision of criminally charged people before their case is decided in court proceedings. Similar to probation supervision however the defendant is out on bail release and has not gone to trial and therefore has not been convicted. Probation officers supervise those who have been convicted and sentenced to probation. Requires anywhere from 30 college credits to a higher degree.

PROBATION OFFICER: an officer appointed to investigate, report on, and supervise the conduct of convicted offenders on probation in the community. Requires a bachelors degree in Criminal justice or another area that deals with people i.e., sociology, education, psychology etc.

PROSECUTOR: a person who institutes an official prosecution before a court, prosecuting attorney. Works for the District Attorney.

THERAPIST/COUNSELOR: a person trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation. Professional guidance of an individual by using various psychological methods. Works in a variety of settings with juveniles or adults. Utilizes many types of treatment from art, music, recreation, to Wilderness Programs. A bachelors degree or higher required.

VICTIM ADVOCATE: One who pleads the cause of, guides, and supports victims. Victim advocates work in many different settings such as; hospitals, police departments, sheriff’s departments, district attorney’s offices, community programs, youth programs, incarceration facilities (jails, prisons, halfway houses etc.), battered women’s shelters and programs. Sexual Assault programs are also victim assistance as is child abuse and many other prevention and intervention areas. An example of a program would be Rape Awareness and Prevention (RAAP) in Denver. There are many different community settings that an advocate may work in. Some employment can be secured with the certificate such as crisis line work, others require the AAS degree or a four year degree with emphasis on victim assistance. See Terri Lukavitch for information.

This list is not all inclusive of all the employment opportunities in the Criminal Justice field. Please contact the Criminal Justice faculty for more information.

TOP