02 Feb Do you agree with this

Question
JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 1 discussion

DQ1 LAWS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Think of all the laws that have affected you in the last 24 hours. Why were these laws passed?

DQ2 VIOLATIONS OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW

Provide an example of a criminal law and civil law. Fundamentally, how do these laws differ?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 2 discussion

DQ1 DEFENSES TO CRIMES

Compare and contrast some of the general legal defenses used by defendants in court.

DQ2 THE CASE OF BRANDI BLACKBEAR

Go to the Internet and research the case of Brandi Blackbear. Then answer the following questions:

Should Brandi have been suspended based on the evidence the school had? Were her civil rights violated? What about her rights to privacy? Should students in school ever have their first amendment rights revoked?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 3 discussion

DQ1 THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are on opposites sides of the adversarial process, but their jobs are equally essential to the proper functioning of our system of criminal justice. Compare and contrast their roles and describe the benefit each has to society. Why are each necessary?

DQ2 JUDGE’S ROLE

Do you feel drug courts and community programs are a good investment? Why or why not?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 4 discussion

DQ1 OBTAINING CRIMINAL DEFENSE COUNSEL

Slick has just been charged and indicted for two counts of burglary. Since Slick has been declared indigent, the judge ponders her options for providing Slick legal counsel. What are the judge’s options? State them and explain which one you would have chosen as the judge.

DQ2 JURY SELECTION

What factors in terms of a juror’s background may come into play when prosecutors and defense attorneys seek to use a preemptory or for cause challenge against them during voir dire?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 5 discussion

DQ1 THE PURPOSE OF PLEA BARGAINING

Why do we allow plea bargaining? Should it be permitted in every case?

DQ2 SHOULD BAIL BE AN ENTITLEMENT?

Are there times when a judge or magistrate should issue a high bond in a given case? Why or why not?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 6 discussion

DQ1 THE TRIAL

Summarize the key points of a criminal trial and describe the pros and cons of jury selection for the defense or prosecution.

DQ2 SHOULD A JUVENILE BE TREATED AS AN ADULT?

What factors should be considered when deciding whether a juvenile should be tried as a juvenile or as an adult?

Who do you think should make the decision—prosecutors or judges?

JADM240 Introduction to the Criminal Courts

Week 7 discussion

DQ1 WHY’D YOU DO IT?

Do you agree with this statement?: “Changes in sentencing law and policy, not increases in crime rates, explain most of the six-fold increase in the national prison population.”

Take a look at this website: The Sentencing Project (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

To what would you attribute the increase in the national prison population? Is more than one factor at play?

DQ2 PRESENTENCE REPORTS

Class, what is a presentence report? What is its purpose?