Assignment 1
Write an essay responding to the following questions:
- Describe how the types of crime frequently portrayed in the media compare with those most commonly committed in reality.
- Begin by analyzing the types of crimes that dominate media coverage, such as violent crimes, and contrast them with crime statistics that reflect routine criminal behavior, including property crimes, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes.
- Discuss the reasons behind the media’s focus on certain types of crime and how this influences public perception of crime rates and criminal justice policy.
- Use specific examples from media reports and crime data to support your comparison.
Assignment 2
Write an essay responding to the following prompts:
- Define and differentiate between the technical and ideal elements of a crime.
- Explain the technical components, such as actus reus (the criminal act), mens rea (the criminal intent), concurrence, causation, and harm.
- Then, discuss the concept of the "ideal" crime in terms of theoretical or perfect circumstances that embody all these elements without legal defenses or mitigating factors.
- Use examples of real-life or hypothetical criminal cases to illustrate the distinction between these elements and analyze how understanding helps interpret and apply criminal law.
Assignment 3
- Write an essay responding to the following:
- Describe the biological theories of crime causation and discuss their potential policy implications.
- Outline critical biological theories, such as genetic predispositions, neurophysiological factors, and biochemical influences on criminal behavior.
- Explain how these theories suggest that specific individuals may be more prone to criminal activity due to innate biological factors.
- Support your response and explain in detail whether you support these theories.
Assignment 4
Write an essay responding to the following prompts:
- In a short essay, list and describe five key features of "good" criminal laws.
- Explain how each feature contributes to the legal system's fairness, clarity, and effectiveness.
- Your essay should address principles such as clarity, enforceability, consistency, proportionality, and fairness.
- Provide examples of how well-crafted criminal laws reflect these features and discuss the potential consequences when laws fail to meet these standards.
Assignment 5
- Describe one significant development that has occurred in American policing.
- Choose a specific advancement, such as the introduction of community policing, the use of body-worn cameras, or the implementation of data-driven policing (e.g., CompStat).
- Explain how this development has changed how law enforcement operates and interacts with communities.
- Discuss the intended outcomes of the development, its impact on police practices, and any challenges or criticisms associated with it. Provide examples to illustrate its influence on modern policing in the United States.
Assignment 6
Write an essay responding to the following prompts:
- In a short essay, identify and describe three key characteristics of police work.
- Discuss how these characteristics shape the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges faced by law enforcement officers.
- Consider traits such as discretion, the need for rapid decision-making, and the balance between enforcing the law and maintaining public trust.
- Use specific examples to illustrate how these characteristics influence the behavior, performance, and role of police officers in their communities
- .
Assignment 7
Write an essay responding to the following prompts:
- Describe the general attitude of the public toward the police and the attitude of the police toward the public.
- Analyze how media coverage, community relations, and high-profile incidents of police misconduct or heroism influence public perceptions.
- Similarly, discuss how the police view the communities they serve, considering the impact of job-related stress, training, and public expectations.
- Use real-world examples or studies to illustrate how these attitudes foster trust and cooperation or contribute to tension and conflict between the police and the public.
Assignment 8
Write an essay responding to the following prompts:
- Describe the process of dispensing trials through plea bargaining and its significance in the criminal justice system.
- Explain how plea bargaining works, the roles of the defense, prosecution, and judge, and why it is used as an alternative to complete trials.
- Discuss the advantages, such as efficiency and reduced court backlogs, as well as potential drawbacks, including concerns about fairness, coercion, and justice for the accused.
- Provide examples or case studies to support your analysis of how plea bargaining impacts the legal system and the individuals involved.