Assignment:
Directions: There are multiple subjects to chose from, choose three. Based on the respective chapter, write a clear and organized summary. Use terminology from the chapter. Share your opinion or personal examples regarding the subject. You are expected to consult outside sources, that is, to go beyond what has been presented in class.
Citations: Please use endnotes at the end of the paragraph. Citations are not necessary for material discussed in class/lecture, but please do reference journal sources from the class reading if you use them. You are expected to read and reference 2 or more references that were not cited in a lecture or part of the reading. Examples of appropriate references include, but are not limited to, journal articles, newspaper articles, and material from websites. More references do not earn more points. As a guideline, use citations appropriately to support the points that you make.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
1.Have students familiarize themselves with the current U.S. Attorney General and his duties online at the U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/ag.
What is the role of the attorney general in the criminal justice system?
2.Read "Viewpoint: When Can a Lawyer Break Privilege?" at https://www.uchastings.edu/news/articles/2013/03/zitrin-breaking-privilege.php. Prepare a one-page report on the pros and cons of the attorney-client privilege.
3.Ask students to go online and visit the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office at https://pd.co.la.ca.us/. The LA County Public Defender's office employs more than seven hundred attorneys. What is their function in the criminal justice system? What services do these men and women provide?
4.Have students interview a local criminal defense attorney or assistant district attorney to find out how heavy a caseload he or she has in a given year. Of these, how many are felonies and how many are misdemeanors? On average, how many are high-profile cases which receive media attention?
5.Have students break into groups (1) defense, (2) prosecution, and (3) witnesses/experts to testify, with the remaining students playing the role of victim, defendant, judge, and so on. Pick a high-profile case and allow the students to put on a mock trial.