Category: Criminology

According to the text, crime has been part of the human condition since people began to live in groups. Ancient documents indicate that conduct we now call murder, theft, or robbery was identified as criminal by civilizations that existed thousands of years ago. Criminal laws regulate human conduct and tell people what they can and cannot do and, in some instances, what they must do under certain circumstances. In this assignment, you will explore different types of criminal conduct and the goals of criminal law.

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:

1. Determine whether or not a conviction is feasible when an alleged perpetrator does not have the required mens rea but has engaged in the actus rea. Provide a rationale to support your position.
2. Explain the distinction between diplomatic immunity and legislative immunity. Next, support or criticize the premise that diplomatic immunity is vital for Americans abroad.
3. Argue for or against the theory that the courts should not hold a defendant of questionable competency to the standard sentencing guidelines. Provide a rationale to support your response.
4. Identify the four (4) goals of criminal law, and discuss the manner in which these four (4) goals effectuate the purpose of protecting the public and preventing the conviction of innocent persons.
5. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar type Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Question 1

Differentiate between restorative justice and retributive justice. Provide examples. Which does the justice system use today?

Question 2

Compare and contrast the UCR and the NCVS.

Question 3

Name five differences and five similarities between the juvenile justice system and the criminal justice system. Overall, are they more similar or different? Support your answer.

Question 4

Compare and contrast the juvenile rights period with the juvenile court period.

Question 5

Discuss the Gault decision and the ramifications of the decision on the juvenile justice system.

Question 6

Differentiate between classical theory and positivist theories.

Question 7

Discuss the nature vs. nurture conflict and explain these opposing views on the cause of delinquency.

Question 8

Differentiate between the function of punishment and the purpose of law according to the Durkheimian and Marxist perspectives.

Question 9

Discuss the two competing world views regarding the cause of delinquency that have existed over the centuries. What are the important concepts of each view?

Question 10

Discuss the key aspects of adolescent development.

Question 11

Differentiate between the five risk and protective factors. Provide examples.

Question 12

What characteristics are present when delinquency is the highest? Why?

Question 13

Discuss the three developmental pathways to delinquency to include the behaviors associated with each.

Question 14

Differentiate between the three levels of child maltreatment.

Question 15

Why are prevention and intervention programs important? What has been shown to be most effective in reducing delinquency?

Question 16

Who sits on the CALEA commission?

A. politicians

B. patrol officers

C. local school principals

D. all of the above

Question 17

What are some of the services provided by a coroner?

Question 18

Explain some of the ways in which police discretion is monitored.

Question 19

Public safety on Indian reservations is the primary responsibility of local and tribal law enforcement.

True

False

Question 20

Explain the broken windows metaphor.

Question 21

What is one avenue in which the increased threat of terrorism has impacted police approaches?

A. intervention techniques for dealing with suspects

B. improved radio frequencies

C. use of more varied patrol techniques (foot, bike, car, motorcycle)

D. none of the above

Question 22

Which of the following legal powers are given to police?

A. right to strike

B. right to use lethal force

C. right to protest

D. all of the above

Question 23

Studies show that people choose policing as a career for which reason?

A. To help people

B. For job security

C. Fight crime

D. All of the above

Question 24

What do critics allege is the real purpose or intent of police?

A. protection of the public

B. guard the interests of the privileged

C. make more money for themselves

D. control the upper class

Question 25

Many state highway patrols divisions investigate:

A. missing persons reports

B. drug interdiction

C. organized crime

D. all of the above

Question 26

Due to changes in the legal environment over the last couple of decades, police are more likely to be what?

A. promoted to higher pay grades

B. commended for their bravery

C. defendants in a lawsuit

D. members of religious organizations

Question 27

List 5 types of informal social controls that were used in primitive civilizations.

Question 28

Hierarchy of command is also known as:

A. top-down authority

B. cooperative management

C. diminished responsibility

D. all of the above

Question 29

Which types of programs are typically offered by law enforcement agencies on college campuses?

A. drug and alcohol abuse

B. general crime prevention

C. rape prevention

D. all of the above

Question 30

Policing strategies adopted from a broken windows perspective can be described as:

A. passive

B. aggressive

C. permissive

D. inactive

In this module, we examined crimes against persons, crimes against property, and white-collar crimes. These crimes are all treated differently by the legislature as well as the media. These differences are a reflection of how society views them. As you consider these differences, you should also consider how these differences have evolved over time.

Tasks:

Prepare a 3- to 5-page report that describes all of the following points:

• The differences in the treatment of each type of crime by the legislature. Explore the different crime levels (misdemeanor vs. felony) and different punishments.
• The differences in the descriptions utilized by the media. How does the media depict the different types of criminals? Have there been any changes?
• The differences in the theoretical applications for these types of crimes. How do the theories differentiate between these types of criminal behavior?

QUESTION 1

1. In the absence of a confession, mens rea is usually proven by circumstantial evidence

True

False

 

QUESTION 2

1. In the absence of a confession, intent must generally be proven by __________ evidence.

	A.	peremptory
	B.	exclusive
	C.	referential
	D.	circumstantial

QUESTION 3

1. The objective determination that the defendant’s act triggered a chain of events that ended as the bad result is called the

	A.	cause in fact
	B.	negligent cause
	C.	subsequent cause
	D.	total cause

QUESTION 4

1. Different levels of blameworthiness are indicated by different types of intent.

True

False

 

QUESTION 5

1. Fault that requires a “bad mind” in the actor is called

	A.	objective fault
	B.	subjective fault
	C.	no fault
	D.	concurrent fault

QUESTION 6

1. Liability without fault or in the absence of mens rea is called:

	A.	strict liability
	B.	harm causation
	C.	offending behavior
	D.	wanton liability

QUESTION 7

1. In strict liability cases, the prosecution has to prove only that the defendants committed a

	A.	voluntary act that caused the harm
	B.	voluntary civil act that caused harm
	C.	voluntary criminal act that caused harm
	D.	voluntary mistake that caused harm

QUESTION 8

1. General intent is the intent to…

	A.	commit a criminal act
	B.	cause harm
	C.	make the act cause the harm
	D.	have the mens rea

 

QUESTION 9

1. The mental element of a crime is called the:

	A.	mens rea
	B.	harm
	C.	actus reus
	D.	concurrence

QUESTION 10

1. Intent to commit a criminal act as defined in a statute is called

	A.	general intent
	B.	personal intent
	C.	blameless intent
	D.	negligent intent

QUESTION 11

1. Which of the following is not a type of culpability in the Model Penal Code?

	A.	purpose
	B.	knowledge
	C.	negligence
	D.	willfulness

QUESTION 12

1. What is the ONLY crime defined in the US Constitution?

	A.	murder
	B.	rape
	C.	treason
	D.	forgery

QUESTION 13

1. Another term for a criminal act is

	A.	mens rea
	B.	actus reus
	C.	de novo
	D.	pro bono

QUESTION 14

1. What is the only direct evidence of a defendant’s mens rea?

	A.	a confession
	B.	a motive
	C.	a signed statement
	D.	polygraph examination

QUESTION 15

1. Mistake is a defense whenever the mistake prevents the formation of any fault-based

	A.	prejudice
	B.	hate
	C.	animus
	D.	mens rea

QUESTION 16

1. Factual cause is also known as which of the folowing?

	A.	“but for” cause
	B.	legal cause
	C.	proximate cause
	D.	intervening cause

QUESTION 17

1. Proximate cause is a subjective question of fairness that appeals to the jury’s sense of:

	A.	justice
	B.	duty
	C.	fairness
	D.	guilt

QUESTION 18

1. Recklessness requires awareness of substantial and unjustifiable risks.

True

False

QUESTION 19

1. Ignorance of facts and law _____________ create a reasonable doubt that the prosecution has proved the element of criminal intent.

	A.	can
	B.	cannot
	C.	always
	D.	never

QUESTION 20

1. Mens rea translated means “evil state of mind.”

True

False

What career opportunities are available for individuals who obtain a degree in criminal justice?

• What are the salary ranges of these careers?
• Are more opportunities available for those individuals who continue in their degrees with a Master’s degree in criminal justice?

Write a 500 – 600 word paper on Criminal Justice Careers for those who have bachelor and master’s degrees in criminal justice.

• Support your argument with outside references.
• Be sure to cite your resource(s).

What are the pros and cons of the first professional police department compared to the previous policing style?

briefly define each punishment philosophies, e.g. deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation.

Jesse James, a 20-year old, was arrested for killing a police officer. As a newly elected prosecutor, you are responsible for prosecuting Mr. James. You announce your decision not to seek the death penalty in this case.

Address the following in 900–1,200 words:

• List the various hearings that will typically occur and how the case is affected by each event.
• Provide an overview of the various courts in the typical state system where Mr. James will appear and why he is appearing there, from arraignment to trial and the various levels of appeal. Be sure to provide specific information as it relates to any constitutional issues that may be raised at each stage in the process.
• What are the potential hearings that might be involved in this case? Be sure to describe them from the time of arrest through appeal.
• What are the relevant civil liberties issues pertaining to the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments present in this case?

You and your partner are investigating an explosive suspicious fire in a two-story, four-car garage that is the headquarters for The Novandon Pool Cleaning Company in Sunshine City, Florida. Upon arrival, you are met by the battalion chief from the fire department, who tells you that the fire is out and the investigation can begin. There are a lot of chemicals in the facility, and a rescue, recovery, and decontamination unit will be on the scene during your investigation.

The battalion chief believes that there was a primary explosive fire in the back of the building, and one followed in the front. He suspects arson. While talking to the battalion chief, a detective arrives and says that there is a hefty insurance policy that just was taken on the building by the pool service owner and that the business has been going downhill because the pool service was lousy. The owner is sitting on a bench with his head in his hands and tells you he is going to stick around to hear the outcome of the arson scene search.

• Concerning the chemicals in the scene, what might be considered necessary equipment for use in the scene and following the scene?
  • What issues do you think would be most significant? Why?
• When interviewing the owner of the warehouse, what specific threats might you ask him about? Why?
  • What action do you think should be taken following the interview? Explain.

• What general areas should always be inspected for possible fingerprints? Explain.
• What is the documentation process regarding the lifting of fingerprints? Explain in detail.
• What are the 2 general types of surfaces in which investigators must lift fingerprints? Explain.