Parole and Truth-in-Sentencing Paper

Course Syllabus

College of Criminal Justice and Security

CJS/200 Version 6

Foundations of the Criminal Justice System

Week One: The Criminal Justice System

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

1.1 Define crime and its relationship to law.

1.2 Describe the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal.

1.3 Identify choice theories of crime and their underlying assumptions.

1.4 Identify instruments for measuring crime.

Course Preparation

Read the course description and objectives.

Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.

Reading

Read Ch. 1 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 2 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 3 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 4 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

Discussion Questions

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Exercise

APA Review

Review the Tutorials and Guides section located in the Center for Writing Excellence website.

Review the Samples section, specifically the APA Sample Paper.

Review the APA Information section.

CheckPoint

Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response

Write a

25

0- to 350-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime.

Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal.

Explain how choice theories of crime affect society.

Follow APA formatting standards.

Follow essay and academic writing standards.

Post your CheckPoint as an attachment.

Post the Certificate of Originality as an attachment

Due Day Five (5)

30

Week Two: The Criminal Justice System

1.5 Describe governmental structure and its relationship to criminal justice.

1.6 Describe the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process.

1.7 Explain the differences between major crime-reporting programs in the United States.

1.8 Describe crime rates, arrest rates, and clearance rates in the United States.

CJi Interactive

Complete the following learning modules in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 1: The Criminal Justice System

· Criminal Justice Goals

· Criminal Justice Process

· Due Process vs. Crime Control

· Ch. 2: Defining and Measuring Crime

· Defining Crime

· How Crimes are Measured

· Violent Crime

· Property Crime

· White Collar and Organized Crime

View the following videos in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 1: The Criminal Justice System

· Myth v. Reality: Crime has been Steadily Increasing

· Issue 1: Is the Criminal Justice System Really a System

· Ch. 2: Defining and Measuring Crime

· Myth v. Reality: Street Crime is More Costly to Society than White-Collar Crime

· Issue 1: Crime v. Deviance

· Issue 2: Full Law Enforcement: Actuality or Imagination?

Complete the following simulations in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 1: The Criminal Justice System

· The Criminal Justice Funnel

· Ch. 2: Defining and Measuring Crime

· The Extent of Crime

Crime Reporting and Rates Response

Write a 250- to 350-word response in which you address the following questions:

· What is the purpose of major crime-reporting programs? What makes a successful crime-reporting program in the United States?

· How do crime rates relate to arrest rates and clearance rates? Is there a way to improve the correlation between crime rates, arrest rates, and clearance rates in the effort to combat criminal activity?

Follow APA formatting standards.

Follow essay and academic writing standards.

Post your response as an attachment.

Post the certificate of originality as an attachment

Due Day Five (5)

Individual

Criminal Justice System Paper

Write a 500- to 800-word paper in which you explain the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process.

Include how the structure of the government relates to the criminal justice system.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Follow essay and academic writing standards.

Post your paper as an attachment.

Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Seven (7)

100

Week Three: The Police: History and Agencies

1.9 Describe the historical development of police agencies and their jurisdiction.

1.10 List five main types of law enforcement agencies and the various agencies under the control of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

1.11 List three primary purposes of police patrol.

Read Ch. 5 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 6 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 7 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 8 of Criminal Justice Today.

Week Four: Law Enforcement in Today’s Society

1.12 Outline four major sources that may provide probable cause.

1.13 Describe the role of the police in contemporary society and in community policing.

1.14 Explain the issues facing police departments in today’s society.

CJi Interactive

Complete the following learning modules in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 5: The Police: History, Structure, and Functions

· History and Professionalism of the Police

· Modern American Policing Eras

· Levels of Law Enforcement

· Police Roles and Functions

· Police Organization

· Policing Styles

View the following videos in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 5: The Police: History, Structure, and Functions

· Myth v. Reality: CSI Solves Another One

· Issue 1: Women and Minorities in Law Enforcement

· Issue 2: Who do the Police Represent?

Complete the following simulation in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 5: The Police: History, Structure, and Functions
· Policing Styles

Police and Law Enforcement Response

Write a 250- to 350-word response in which you address the following questions:

· What is the role of police in society? What would happen if the role of the police were lessened as it applies to the theory and practice of community policing?

· How do daily issues such as probable cause affect police from a legal standpoint? How can these issues be improved to aid police organizations in combating crime?

Follow APA formatting standards.

Follow essay and academic writing standards.

Post your response as an attachment.

Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Five (5)

Law Enforcement Today Paper

Write a 800- to 1,150-word paper in which you describe the issues facing police departments in today’s society.

Include a description of how local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies currently interact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Include suggestions for how the relationship between DHS and police departments may be improved.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Follow essay and academic writing standards.

Post your paper as an attachment.

Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Seven (7)

125

Week Five: Criminal Courts: History and Processes

1.15 Outline the dual court system in the United States.

1.16 Describe the historical development of U.S. courts.

1.17 Identify the steps involved in the pretrial criminal process.

1.18 List the six basic steps of an appeal.

Read Ch. 9 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 10 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 11 of Criminal Justice Today.

Review Ch. 7 of Criminal Justice Today.

Historical Development Response

Write a 250- to 350-word response in which you describe the historical development of the U.S. court system. Answer the following questions in your response:

· How does the dual court system operate in the United States?

· How does the U.S. court system compare to court systems in other countries?

Follow APA, essay, and academic writing standards.

Post your response as an attachment.

Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Five (5)

Week Six: Criminal Courts: Players and Sentencing

1.19 Explain the differences among members of the courtroom work group.

1.20 Explain how a prosecutor screens potential cases.

1.21 Compare and contrast the four basic philosophical reasons for sentencing criminals.

1.22 Define the six forms of punishment.

· Ch. 8: The Courts: History, Structure, and Key Players

· History and Organization of the Courts

· The Trial Judge

· The Grand Jury

· Types of Witnesses

View the following videos in CJi Interactive located on the student website:
· Ch. 8: The Courts: History, Structure, and Key Players

· Myth v. Reality: The Courtroom is a Level Playing Field

· Issue 1: Assembly Line Justice: The Affect of the Backlog of Cases on the Courts

· Issue 2: Specialized Courts

Complete the following simulation in CJi Interactive located on the student website:

· Ch. 8: The Courts: History, Structure, and Key Players

· State and Federal Court Systems

Courtroom Players Response

· What is considered to be a courtroom work group?

· How does this courtroom work group interact on a daily basis?

· What is the role of the prosecutor?

· How does a prosecutor determine which cases to pursue?

· What would happen if the criteria for taking a case were more, or less, stringent?

· What changes to the courtroom work group would you recommend?

Follow APA, essay, and academic writing standards.

Post your response as an attachment.
Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Five (5)

Sentencing Paper

Write a 800- to 1,150-word paper in which you compare the five philosophical reasons for sentencing criminals.

Include the following:

· An explanation of the six forms of punishment

· The relationship between sentencing and punishment in today’s courts

· Recommendations for how to modify the sentencing process to reduce recidivism rates

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Follow essay and academic writing standards.
Post your paper as an attachment.
Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Seven (7)

Week Seven: Corrections, Part 1

1.23 Identify the four types of prisons.

1.24 Explain the concept of prison as a total institution.

1.25 Explain the justifications for community-based corrections programs.

1.26 Summarize the distinction between jails and prisons and indicate the importance of jails in the U.S. correctional system.

Read Ch. 12 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 13 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 14 of Criminal Justice Today.

· Ch. 11: Corrections: History and Institutions

· History of Prisons

· Prisons and Jails

· Correctional System

View the following videos in CJi Interactive located on the student website:
· Ch. 11: Corrections: History and Institutions

· Myth v. Reality: The Correctional System Rehabilitates Offenders

· Issue 1: Prison: Public and Private

Complete the following simulation in CJi Interactive located on the student website:
· Ch. 11: Corrections: History and Institutions

· Prison Operations

Jails and Prisons Response

Write a 250- to 350-word response in which you describe the distinctions between jails and prisons. Address the following in your comparison:

· Identify the four types of prisons.

· Explain the concept of prison as a total institution.

· Explain why jails play an important role in the criminal justice system.

Follow APA, essay, and academic writing standards.

Post your response as an attachment.
Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Five (5)

Week Eight: Corrections, Part 2

1.27 Explain some of the reasons for violent behavior in prisons.

1.28 Describe the concepts on which parole is based and the typical conditions that accompany parole.

1.29 Describe truth-in-sentencing laws and their goals.

Violent Behavior Response

Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe some of the reasons for violent behavior in prisons. Include the following components:

· Violent behavior among prisoners

· Violent behavior between inmates and staff

· Strategies for responding to violent behavior

· How violent behavior affects incarceration length

Post your response as an attachment.

Parole and Truth-in-Sentencing Paper

Write a 500- to 800-word paper in which you describe the goals and conditions of parole. Include the following components:

· The concepts on which parole is based

· Typical conditions that affect parole

· Goals of truth-in-sentencing laws

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Follow essay and academic writing standards.
Post your paper as an attachment.
Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Seven (7)

Week Nine: Special Issues

1.30 Define delinquency and status offenses.

1.31 Identify the four major differences between juvenile courts and adult courts.

1.32 Identify the variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates.

1.33 Distinguish cybercrime from traditional crime.

1.34 Explain the activities and purposes of most hackers.

Read Ch. 15 of Criminal Justice Today.

Read Ch. 18 of Criminal Justice Today.

Capstone Discussion Question

Respond to the capstone discussion question.

· What is cybercrime? How has cybercrime contributed to the overall rise in crime rates over the last 10 years? What recommendations would you make to combat cybercrime and crimes associated with cybercrime and hackers? How will cybercrime affect the future of the criminal justice system?

· Due Day Two (2)

· Ch. 14: The Juvenile Justice System

· How Juveniles are Processed

· Difference between Adult and Juvenile Justice system

· History of the Juvenile Justice Court

· Juvenile’s Legal Rights

· Types of Juvenile Offenders

View the following videos in CJi Interactive located on the student website:
· Ch. 14: The Juvenile Justice System

· Myth v. Reality: Juvenile Boot Camps are an Effective way of Treating Offenders

· Issue 1: “Net Widening” with Regards to Juveniles

· Issue 2: Transfer of Juveniles to Criminal Court and Juveniles in Adult Correctional Facilities

Final Project

Juvenile Crime Paper

Write a 1,250- to 1,500-word paper in which you address juvenile crime issues in the criminal justice system. Include the following components in your paper:

· The differences between a juvenile court and an adult court

· The definition of delinquency

· The definition of status offenses

· The variables that correlate with juvenile crime rates

Describe your recommendations for reducing juvenile crime.

Note: You should discuss the landmark Supreme Court decisions that have impacted juvenile justice in your paper.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Follow essay and academic writing standards.
Post your paper as an attachment.
Post the certificate of originality as an attachment.

Due Day Seven (7)

225