Assignment:
Break down the federal courts and the state court. Rodney King was an individual beaten by police officers in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. This event led to riots and two court cases, one in the California court system and the other in the federal court system. Do your own independent research on the Rodney King case. The documentary below gives some insight into this tumultuous period in our nation's history. It is not unlike what we have been experiencing over the past several months:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaotkHlHJwo&t=445s
Disclaimer - the documentary has been identified by the YouTube community as inappropriate or offensive to some audiences. It displays some very upsetting imagery and language but it is real so it is important to view so we can do better as a society. You will need to click "I understand and wish to proceed" in order to watch the video.
Answer the questions below:
- Discuss the trial that took place in the state of California
- What charges were filed against the officers?
- Discuss the makeup of the jury?
- What was the outcome of this trial? What is your opinion of this outcome?
- Discuss the trial that took place in the federal district court
- What charges were filed against the officers?
- Discuss the makeup of the jury?
- What was the outcome of this trial? What is your opinion of this outcome?
- Why was there both a state trial and a federal trial?
Make sure to:
Write a short essay or paragraph of at least 500 words.
Use concrete examples/details and avoid generalities.
Address all questions.
Use proper grammar and punctuation.
If you researched your topic and are using information from what you learned, remember to cite your sources.
Do not plagiarize.
You will not be able to edit your assignment once you post, so please proofread and spell check before hitting post!
TEXT BOOK
Title of Book:
America's Courts and the Criminal Justice System, 13th Edition.
Author(s):
Neubauer, Fradella