Assignment:
You are the victim of a crime. After picking up your two small children from school, you notice that some things are out of place within your home. All in all, your laptop, digital camera, and family heirlooms are missing. The living room and office have been completely ransacked. (In your panic, you do not hear the backdoor to your home open and close. The thief has just left your home). You immediately call the police and file a report. Over the next two weeks, you worry about the safety of your family. Your children have nightmares. You worry that you may never see your stolen possessions again, including the digital camera that had hundreds and hundreds of pictures still on it.
After two weeks, the police call to inform you that they have the man who broke into your house. His identity was confirmed with surveillance footage from your neighbor's security system. The man is Jose Lopez, a 23 year old, Hispanic man, who was found by police after he attempted to buy cigarettes from a carry-out down the street using stolen antique coins. When confronted by police, Jose barricaded himself in his one bedroom apartment. The police had to kick down the door. They found Jose hiding in a closet. It appears that Jose is addicted to methamphetamine, and is supporting his habit by breaking into homes in the neighborhood. He has one prior conviction for drug possession, in which he served 12 months of probation. He is not well educated nor does he have a job.
Jose quickly pleads guilty to breaking and entering into your house. There are additional charges for the altercation with police and for possessing a stolen firearm. Before Jose is sentenced, the probation department contacts you to give a statement for Jose's presentence report. Upon meeting with the probation officer, you are informed that Jose was still in the house at the time you returned home with your family. He was in close proximity to your children and you. This makes the victimization all that more traumatizing and real. The probation officer asks what you would like to happen to Jose. While you hold a degree in criminal justice, and understand the benefits of intermediate sanctions and treatment for offenders like Jose, you cannot help but want Jose to be punished to the fullest.
With this scenario in mind, write 3 full pages (double spaced) making a case for what should happen to Jose. Should he be sent to prison? Should he be sentenced to probation (discussed) or another intermediate sanction (discussed)? What sentencing goal do you think applies to Joe's case? Why should the judge take your statement into consideration? These are just some of the items you should think about. While there is no right or wrong answer, ground your discussion with what you have read in the textbook so far. If you think prison is the best option, spend time discussing why some of the intermediate sanctions presented should not apply to Joe.
You must use citations when using material from the textbook or any other sources you find useful. While outside sources are not required, you may find it necessary to incorporate one to two additional sources in order to strengthen your argument. Please do not simply quote your sources, really attempt to paraphrase or put them into your own words.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
This is the textbook
References
Schmalleger, F., & Smykla, J. (2017). Corrections in the 21st Century. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.