United States Criminal Justice Practice What is your view on how criminal justice is practiced in the US society?
United States Criminal Justice Practice
The U.S. justice system divided into to two distinct branches, civil law, and criminal law.
The behavior of citizens in the United States is governed by state laws found in the state criminal codes and federal laws found in the federal penal code. When a person commits a crime, he or she violates one of these laws and criminal charges are filed. In some cases, a single act may violate both federal and state law. Crimes are generally categorized as felonies or misdemeanors based on their nature and the maximum punishment that can be imposed.
What is the System Supposed to Do For purposes of this class, we will focus on what the end user needs or expects the system to do.
What is the System Supposed to Do
These needs and expectations are documented as requirements for the system. They fall into two general categories:
Functional Requirements – that express what the user needs the system to do.
They describe the tasks the users need to accomplish with the system
What data the user will input
What the system is expected to do with the data that is input
What the system is expected to provide as output (reports, results, etc.)
Example Functional Requirements for What is the System Supposed to Do
The system shall calculate the total of all items in the online or website shopping cart.
The system shall display to the user similar items that the online shopper may be interested in.
The system shall require the user to provide a shipping address.
The system shall automatically fill in the State portion of the shipping address based on the zip code entered by the user.
The system shall provide the user with a report of all purchases made via the website.
Non-Functional Requirements – that express how the system will perform.
They describe how the system will perform in areas such as:
Usability – Ability for new users to quickly adapt to the software, including how easy the system is to use and how help is provided for the users
Scalability – Ability of the system to accommodate additional users and/or additional records/transactions
Availability – Amount or periods of time the system is to be operational and useable
Reliability – Ability of the system to create and maintain the data correctly
Maintainability – Ability of the system to be easily maintained, corrected and updated
Portability – Ability of the system to run/operate on a variety of end-user devices or with multiple operating systems
Or, they describe security requirements for the system and data, such as:
Protection of data as it is transmitted and when it is stored
User authentication
Authorization of user to perform specific functions
Data backup and recovery
Example non-functional requirements:
The system shall encrypt the user’s payment information when it is transmitted.
The system shall store the user’s full name in the database.
The system shall require a retinal scan for login purposes.
The system shall be capable of handling 5,000,000 transactions per hour.
The system shall operate using Motorola hand-held scanners.
Writing the Requirements Statements
The requirement statement:
Either states what the system will do as a functional requirement, or states how the system will do it as a non-functional requirement (Never both together)
Identifies only one requirement; avoid the words “and,” “also,” “with,” and “or”
Is a complete sentence, with a subject (usually “the system”) and predicate (intended result, action or condition)
Uses “shall” (vs. “may” or “should”)
Is stated in positive terms; i.e., “the system shall xxxx” vs. “the system shall not xxx”
Avoids the use of terms that cannot be defined and measured, such as “approximately,” “robust,” “user friendly,” etc.
Is achievable; avoids terms such as “100% uptime,” or “no failures”
Is complete; it includes a measure or metric (time or quantity) where appropriate
Must be testable; that is, there must be some way to test the system to determine whether a requirement is met
Generally is written as “The system shall …..”
Below are some examples of poorly written and well-written requirements, with an explanation of what is wrong with the poorly written one.
Poorly Written Requirement What is Wrong Well
Written Requirement for What is the System Supposed to Do
Users shall have access to their personal data, which will be transmitted in a secure manner. Two requirements – one functional and one non-functional – are expressed; each statement should express only 1 requirement. The system shall provide a user with access to their personal data.
The system shall transmit personal data in a secure manner.
The system shall calculate the total of all items in the online or website shopping cart and display the total to the user. Two requirements are expressed; each statement should express only 1 requirement. 1. The system shall calculate the total of all items in the online or website shopping cart.
The system shall display the total of all items in the online or website shopping cart to the user.
Report shall be provided within 5 seconds of the user clicking on “submit.” Not a complete sentence; and should be stated as “The system shall…..” The system shall provide the report within 5 seconds of the user clicking on “submit.”
The system should require the user to provide a shipping address. Avoid the use of “should”; use “shall.” The system shall require the user to provide a shipping address.
The system shall be easy to use. “Easy to use” is not measurable or testable. The system shall guide the user through the steps to place an order.
DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis Discuss how human error is a factor in DNA analysis.
DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis
Outline the process of collecting and preparing a DNA sample to be used as evidence. List some factors that can degrade DNA and precautions required to maintain reliable evidence. Explain the Dot blot method, mitochondrial DNA, and familial DNA profiles. In the classical DNA fingerprinting method radio-labeled DNA probes containing minisatellite or oligonucleotide sequences are hybridized to DNA that has been digested with a restriction enzyme, separated by agarose electrophoresis and immobilized on a membrane by Southern blotting or – in the case of the oligonucleotide probes – immobilized directly in the dried gel.
The Redheaded Stepchild and the Favorite Son Kennedy School Case: C16-92-1165.0
The Redheaded Stepchild and the Favorite Son: Resolving Disparities between Norfolk, Virginia’s Paramedic Rescue Service and Fire Department” (Kennedy School Case: C16-92-1165.0)
The Redheaded Stepchild and the Favorite Son
You are a consultant to Darlene Burcham, the assistant city manager of the city of Norfolk, Virginia. She is facing an extremely delicate and potentially explosive situation dealing with the competing demands of fire-fighters and paramedics. She asked you for your analysis and advice on this situation. Specifically, you should prepare and submit a clear, concise 2-page memo (single spaced) that addresses the following issues:
Who are the major stakeholders in this situation? What is the nature of their stake (i.e. what do they have to lose and gain)? What is the nature (its source and its strength) of each stakeholder’s power base? Be sure to include Ms. Burcham herself and other city officials in your analysis.
To what extent are external forces critical to the decision(s) that Darlene Burcham has to make? In what direction are those forces going with respect to this situation? How much influence are they likely to have and why?
Identify at least two possible courses of action that Ms. Burcham can take to deal with the complex politics of this situation and make a reasonable decision. What are the advantages of each possible course of action? The disadvantages?
Finally, what do you recommend that she should do next?
To facilitate your analysis, please be creative to come up with a visual way of mapping the political terrain as an appendix.
Recent News on Steps of a Criminal Trial Choose an issue in recent news/a current event.
Recent News on Steps of a Criminal Trial
Discuss how this issue relates to subject matter covered in class;
Identify arguments on each side of the issue;
Explain your position on the issue; explain why this issue is particularly important.
Recent News on Steps of a Criminal Trial or Stages of a Criminal Case
Arrest – A criminal case begins when you are arrested for a crime.
Booking Process – After you are arrested you are then processed into police custody.
Bail or Bond – The first thing you want to know after being placed in jail is how much it’s going to cost to get out.
Arraignment – Usually, your first appearance in court after you have been arrested is a hearing called the arraignment.
Plea Bargaining – With the criminal court system overwhelmed with cases, only 10 percent of cases go to trial.
Preliminary Hearing – At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor tries to convince the judge there is enough evidence to show that a crime was committed and you probably committed it.
Pre-Trial Motions – Your attorney has the opportunity to exclude some of the evidence against you and try to establish some of the ground rules for your trial by making pre-trial motions.
Criminal Trial – If you are truly innocent or if you are not satisfied with any plea deals offered to you, you have the option to allow a jury to decide your fate.
If you plead guilty or you were found guilty by a jury, you will be sentenced for your crime.
Appeals Process – If you think a legal error caused you to be convicted and sentenced unfairly, you have the ability to appeal to a higher court.
Juvenile or Child Welfare Policy Analysis Analyse a policy specific to juvenile or child welfare policy. Select for analysis a policy specific to juvenile or child welfare policy. The 8-12 page policy analysis (body of paper) should be in 12 point, double-spaced font (must have a federal or state statutory or judicial basis).
Juvenile or Child Welfare Policy Analysis
Specify the model of analysis to be utilized (Attach the policy analysis model only if not one provided in course readings). Regardless of the model selected for the analysis, the policy analysis should include background, problem, underpinning values, unintended consequences, alternatives and recommendations for the policy Selected topics from the list below, or alternative policies of comparable scope must be submitted in writing six weeks before the paper’s due date and require prior approval of the instructor.
White Collar Crime and the Current Analysis Assignment Current event analysis assignment, this paper is to analyze a recent published article from a newspaper or magazine.
White Collar Crime and the Current Analysis Assignment
Briefly summarized the article taking a position on the issue. State how I feel about the event. Is it a societal cause or institutional cause?
White Collar Crime and the Current Analysis Assignment Questions
How it affects me? What is the social and economic impact? Provide white-collar control deterrence for this case. Reportedly coined in 1939, the term white-collar crime is now synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals. These crimes are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust and are not dependent on the application or threat of physical force or violence. The motivation behind these crimes is financial—to obtain or avoid losing money, property, or services or to secure a personal or business advantage.
The Nature of Juvenile Delinquent Probation Explain in DETAIL the nature of the topic you are writing about as it relates to the course, stating a THEORY and how it relates to your topic in DETAIL: 25 points
The Nature of Juvenile Delinquent Probation
BRIEFLY, describe the subject matter(s) that will use in support of topic you are writing about: 2.5 points
BRIEFLY, explain why the topic you are writing about is relevant as it relates to the course: 2.5 points
The Body of the paper: 35 points
IN DETAIL describe each the subject matter(s) used in support of topic you are writing about, and how it/they are related to that topic.
Conclusion: 35 points
in detail, describe how the topic you are writing about is relevant and, why it is important and related to your topic.
Childhood Lack of Stable Family of Lee Boyd Malvo Discuss the lack of a stable family and deficits in young Lee Malvo’s early childhood and adolescence and how this led him to develop dissociative tendencies, i.e., to become detached or depersonalized, allowing him to be susceptible to John Muhammad’s brainwashing or intensive indoctrination to become the D.C. sniper.
Childhood Lack of Stable Family of Lee Boyd Malvo
The ex-wife of the sniper who terrorized the Washington, D.C., area during a 2002 killing spree said the random murders were part of an attempt to commit the perfect crime: to kill her and divert suspicion to a crazed gunman.
Criminal homicide Offence and Crime Data Students will be required to write a 6-7 page assignment that examines different types of crime data in relation to a specific offence.
Criminal homicide Offence and Crime Data
You will be required to select a UCR crime of your choice that will allow you to practice your research skills as you explore how crime data is used by criminologists to prevent crime. If you are unsure whether or not a particular crime type is suitable, please contact your instructor for help.
Criminal homicide Offence and Crime Data from Statistics Canada
Once a specific criminal offence has been selected, students will begin to explore data currently available to the general public from Statistics Canada. To get an idea of what constitutes your crime, you should find the criminal code definition of the offence and the punishment associated with it. This criminal code definition should be included in your paper and properly cited.
Next, you will need to read and extract data pertaining to your offence from the Uniform Crime Report from Statistics Canada. You will need to provide the statistics of your crime at both the provincial (BC) and national (Canada) level for the most recent year available. How many actual offences were reported? What was the crime rate (per 100,000)? What is the percentage of change in rate? (What is the
trend of your crime? Is it increasing or decreasing?) What is the crime severity index (CSI) value for your offence? (You will need to determine what category your offence falls within, such as violent vs. property)
You will also need to find data that describes the level of victimization for your selected offence type. You will need to look at the General Social Survey to determine prevalence and/or characteristics or other notable aspects of your criminal offence type.
Criminal homicide Offence and Crime Data and Criminological Theory Selection
Next, you will need to select a criminological
theory that explains why your selected crime
occurs. You will want to explain what your
theory is, who created it, and how it relates to your selected crime.
Lastly, you will examine different ways the criminal justice system has responded to this offence type. You will select one initiative that is currently being used (provincial or national level) and briefly describe how it addresses this crime and what progress has been made to reduce and prevent future crime.
