Criminal Law

The Adequacy of the Criminal Justice System One of the more interesting aspects of studying political science is examining public policies to learn how and whether they work to achieve the goals that gave rise to them. Public interests are not well-served if public policies fail to respond adequately. Relevant to the study of Texas government and politics are policies that address crime and punishment given that a sizable chunk of the state’s budget is allocated in this policy area. With an annual budget in excess of $3 billion, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice oversees a vast network of correctional facilities and expenses. Chapter 12 of the textbook describes criminal justice in Texas, and this information will help you understand the importance of this policy area. Criminal justice reform has been a hot topic nationally and in Texas for several years, as you are learning. Disparities in sentencing, and overcrowded and violent jails and prisons prompted reforms here in Texas in the early 2000s. Recently, however, bail procedures, death penalty laws, and drug policies have placed criminal justice reform back on Texas’s policy agenda. For more information about the backdrop of criminal justice reform generally, please review: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/criminal-justice-reform-state-level  (Links to an external site.)   Among the topics covered in the Brennan Center report, you learn that prosecutors enjoy considerable discretion over criminal cases. What do you know about the role of prosecutors? What assumptions do you have about them?  Watch this TED Talk presented by prosecutor, Adam Foss. Jot down a few notes and consider the importance of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system. Adam Foss: A prosecutor’s vision for a better justice system http://www.ted.com/talks/adam_foss_a_prosecutor_s_vision_for_a_better_justice_system   (Links to an external site.)   After listening to this TED Talk and considering the Brennan Center and textbook information, you will prepare an essay in which you: Describe the general theme of criminal justice reform, as explained in your textbook, the Brennan Center, and Adam Foss’s TED Talk. Why do you think criminal justice reform continues to be part of the public policy agenda in Texas? (Worth up to 25 points) Identify and describe three distinct significant points about criminal justice reform that resonate with you. Why do you find them important? (Worth up to 25 points) Discuss how you believe elected officials in Texas can address each point of significance you identified. (Worth up to 25 points) What role, if any, can you play in criminal justice reform, say as in the selection of prosecutors in your community? (Worth up to 25 points)   Requirements: This assignment is worth up to 100 points (25 points per section). Make sure you address the prompts in each section with sufficient information to earn maximum points. The minimum word count is 550 (that’s two pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font). Your response must be written in academic English. You will use your voice and write in your own words, but if you do quote or paraphrase from any of your sources, provide a citation.

Prior to beginning this journal, read the article, “Are Forensic Experts Biased by the Side that Retained Them?,” and examine the subjective nature of forensic psychology concerning the evaluation of criminal defendants. In a one- to two-page journal entry: Evaluate the influences that contribute to differential diagnoses depending upon which side hires the psychologist to evaluate a criminal defendant. Determine how to minimize cognitive bias. As you reflect on the article for your journal, analyze the ethical considerations of Diagnosing a defendant. Diagnosing the legal implications of a negative diagnosis. Based on your assigned readings, including this article, do you believe that such assessments as the PCL-R Checklist can provide accurate predictions of an individual’s behavior?

Answer the following questions and prompts in your own words, using the research you found to support your answers (including proper citations). 1. What are the most common fallacies people use when engaging in your debate topic? Give several (3+) that you either found or would expect to find related to your topic. Explain each fallacy in your own words and its typical use in this case. 2. What are some of the most common emotive words or phrases you found associated with your debate topic? Give several (3+) examples on both sides of your debate. Explain in your own words why these emotive words distract from the more substantial arguments of your debate topic. 3. What do you think are the 2 most compelling arguments on the pro side of your issue? Explain your reasoning. Is there a good rebuttal to these arguments? If so, explain what it would be. If not, explain why not. 4. What do you think are the 2 most compelling arguments on the con side of your issue? Explain your reasoning. Is there a good rebuttal to these arguments? If so, explain what it would be. If not, explain why not. 5. Identify 3 inductive arguments you used somewhere in your debate and explain what kind of inductive arguments they are and what identifes them as such. (You don’t need to repeat the whole argument, just reference it or label it in some identifable way.) 6. Identify 3 deductive arguments you used somewhere in your debate and explain what kind of inductive arguments they are and what identifes them as such. (You don’t need to repeat the whole argument, just reference it or label it in some identifable way.) 7. Overall, which side of the argument do you think is most convincing? Explain your reasoning.

If you are not familiar with the Breonna Taylor case, familiarize yourself with the case by researching it online. The police were executing a “no-knock search warrant”. Do you think that “no knock seach warrants should be permitted? Who were the targets of the search warrant? What are the requirements for a search warrant? Do you think the police were justified in the killing of Breonna Taylor?

What is the exclusionary rule and why does it exist? Discuss the evolution of the exclusionary rule and its subsequent curtailments (exceptions). Your assignments should be in essay format (introduction, body, and conclusion). If you use resources, you must cite your sources both in text and on a reference page using APA format. How will your essay be graded? Content – Answer each question directly and explain. It is always okay to use examples to clarify your point. Your response should be in essay format (introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Although you are not required to use sources, if you quote or paraphrase a resource, both in-text citations and a reference page is required. Citation and reference page should follow APA guidelines. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation should reflect senior level work. If you meet the requirements of the assignment, your work is average and will be graded as such (Average = C). If you are looking for an exceptional grade on the assignment, you will need to submit exceptional work. That means that you go above and beyond the minimum requirements of the assignment.

Discuss the historical problems associated with developing the professional police model. Look back at the history and give specific examples to include the political era, reform era, and the community era. Describe issues that affected and continue to effect the professional police model.

Evaluate the effectiveness of probation and identify some of the promising programs in probation services.

Identify and discuss the five periods of juvenile justice history and which period you think was the most influential to the evolution of the juvenile justice system.

Write a report that will cover a serial murderer of your choice. The Technical Report is designed to provide an analysis based on the genetic factors (possible psychiatric and medical abnormalities), environmental, social factors and data/evidence left at the scenes. Utilize the DSM IV (and two other additional outside sources for the paper. For example, you may use the internet, academic journals, databases, books, encyclopedias, videos, newspapers, etc. The report is to include a list of sources. References and citations are to be in APA format. The paper length is to be 5 to 10 pages.

Week 1 Individual Project Consider the following scenario: A defendant is put on probation. The defendant then violates probation, or commits another violation while on probation. Provide a detailed account of each step of the legal process in this scenario. What considerations must be made, and what aspects of the legal system are involved? Key Assignment for This Course Based on the profile of a (hypothetical) defendant and the stipulations of the state in which you currently reside, create an Evaluative Needs Summary presentation to members of a community corrections board, civic leaders, and concerned citizens. The Evaluative Needs Summary will include the following: A complete profile of the defendant Analysis and discussion of recommended probation plan (general points to consider; diversion programs) Description of how the probation program will be measured as it relates to recidivism and public safety Conclusions and recommendations References