Criminal Justice Essentials provides an overview of the criminal justice system. Starting with historical perspectives of the origins of the system. The course also reviews the overall structure. Students will become immersed in criminal and constitutional law and will review basic law enforcement skills. The course ends with a mock trial to provide participants with a first hand experience of the criminal justice system. The course will also provide in-depth competencies and components for the co-curricular Skills USA student organization that are incorporated throughout instructional strategies of the course. Participation in additional student organizations that align with LPSCS pathways is encouraged to enhance standards addressed in the curriculum.