Assignment:
Criminal Justice -1000 words
1. What sentencing strategies are most closely associated with each sentencing purpose?
2. Between Donald Reinbolt's execution in 1963 for the 1962 murder of a Columbus, Ohio grocer, and the death sentence imposed on cop-killer Leonard Jenkins in 1981, almost 20 years elapsed. Today, 20 years is almost the average time spent on death row for a convicted killer. Why was that time so brief in the recent past? Is your opinion, is this a factor of the law, morality, or technology? Explain.
3. Is capital punishment appropriate in some offenses other than murder? Support your answer with legal reasoning. Is the manner in how capital punishment is imposed a question of legality, morality, or emotion based on public opinion? Should the decision come from a balance of those issues, or does the type and nature of the offense counter balance how the punishment is carried out (e.g., the death sentence imposed on a convicted defendant who raped and murdered a child). Why?
4. B. A. Dapple was charged and tried with two crimes arising out of the same set of facts: distribution of a controlled substance and possession of an unregistered firearm. He was also charged with being a habitual offender. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the distribution charge and not guilty on the firearms charge. The judge conducted a sentencing hearing at which she concluded that Dapple used the firearm while distributing the drugs. She increased his sentence as a result, sentencing him at the higher end of the scale for distribution, nine years.
The statute provides for 5-10 years for distribution of a controlled substance. She then ordered the jury to hear evidence that Dabble is a habitual offender. In her state, three felony convictions in a 10-year period make an offender "habitual." The jury heard the evidence of Dabble's two prior convictions, one for aggravated battery and the other for rape, and found Dabble to be a habitual offender. State law required the imposition of death for habitual offenders when one or more of the convictions was of a violent crime. Accordingly, the state judge sentenced Dabble to death on the habitual offender charge. Discuss all Sixth Amendment and Eighth Amendment issues you find, citing applicable cases.
Juvenile Justice-1000 words
1. Explain some of the common trends and possible future changes that could occur in the juvenile justice system in the next 50 years. Include which ones you agree with, and why.
2. There are many arguments for and against abolishing the juvenile justice system. Compare these arguments, decide which side you are on, and write your conclusions.
3. Outline the parameters, goals, and impact of the J.O.L.T. (Juvenile Offenders Learning Tolerance) program as a part of the Hate Crimes Suppression Unit founded by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
4. Jamie is a 14-year-old junior high school student in Dallas, Texas. She tries to maintain good grades, but usually is satis?ed with a "C" average in most of her course work. She has no real plans for college and really doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. Her mom and dad are divorced and she lives with her mother and two brothers. Jamie has several girlfriends, but no steady boyfriends. She is not active in extracurricular school events, but does attend the nearby Baptist Church where she engages in various youth activities. Last week, Jamie and one of her girlfriends were arrested for shoplifting. They were caught placing two Britney Spears CDs in their purses. When questioned by store security, Jamie contended that this was her ?rst time ever being in trouble, and that it was her girlfriend's idea to steal the CDs. She says she is sorry and that it will never happen again. During most of the interview with store security, Jamie and her friend were visibly shaken and crying. She has been referred to the local teen court where you serve as the judge.
a. What do you think is the best punishment or treatment strategy for Jamie? Why?
b. Should of?cials at her school and church be noti?ed that she has been arrested for shoplifting? Why or why not?
c. How do you think any sentence levied against Jamie will meet the basic principles of restorative justice?
d. What should be the next steps of adjudication if Jamie is caught shoplifting again?