For instance, “policymakers typically emphasize the instrumental purposes of their policies” (Best 220). According to Best in Social Problems, “they claim that the policy is intended to make a difference, to correct or improve a particular troubling condition in society”. Policies can also serve symbolic purposes because the policies embody values to help promote the structure of society (Best 220). Overall, these policies affect the way criminals associated with these crimes are prosecuted in the United States by providing explanation for prosecution. For example, with the War on Drugs, “many policymakers insist that legalizing drugs is unthinkable” (Best 221).
A “moral panic” starts with an unspeakable tragedy, which sparks an attempt to ascribe blame and responsibility. Framers or activists, fueled with exaggeration of statistics and the strong imagery presented through pop culture and especially the media help define “moral panic”. The most interesting relationship to me that is created by the “moral panic” is the involvement of the media or pop culture. The media in all these articles have a crucial role in escalating the issue as well as pop culture. The movies, literature, and news all have a stake in the phenomenon of serial homicide.
Evidence and Sentencing Mark Passi CJA 204 January 25, 2012 Ray Rawlins A presiding judge in a court of law is to make sure constitutional rights of the accused are protected during trial proceedings. A conviction by a court jury of the defendant will give the judge authority to impose reasonable punishment based upon the severity of the crime committed. The goal of “retribution” to a convicted person has changed throughout history of the criminal justice system. It is important to give a well deserve punishment for the severity of the crime. This sentencing goal is critical due to the fact that different state has different sentencing laws.
Criminal Acts and Choices Sandra Garcia Criminal Justice CJA/204 September 14, 2011 Leroy Hendrix, MS Criminals are often categorized or labeled as the bad seeds of society or the rejects and failures. Those are the individuals that make the choice of disobeying the law and decide to live the life of a felon. Those criminal behaviors later on result to becoming habitual and progressive towards severe crimes being committed. However, for every action there is a reason to better understand the mind of a criminal certain theories have been introduced to the criminal justice system to gain knowledge in why people commit crime and what can be done to prevent it from occurring. In this paper choice theories will be identified and how they
My Deviant Subculture Perspective By Alexander Eisemann The prospective thought of a criminal behavior has engrained itself into the court of public opinion. When convicted of a deviant crime within the American culture, the judicial system interprets the crime according to its bureaucratic roles as a formal organization. The inertia that surrounds our judicial department encourages them to get the job done as swiftly as possible. The outcome of the conviction process mostly benifets the bureaucratic role that the judicial branch serves in government, and alienating what is best for the individual, as long as the conviction is proven guilty or not guilty by our cultures standards-(Hofstadter, Richard Sociology in American thought). The ritualism of how we convict criminals usually does not help them in the long run; taking away their legitimate means for obtaining a job.
October 2, 2012 Case Brief Cupp v Murphy 412 U.S. 291 (1973) Facts: Daniel Murphy was convicted of murdering his wife in the second degree. After he found out of the murder he called the police and voluntarily submitted himself to questioning. In the middle of his questioning the police noticed a dark spot on his finger and they asked if they could get a sample and he refused. The police did not respect his wishes and they took the sample anyways of what was under his fingernail. They processed it and later found out there was traces of his wife’s nightgown, skin, and blood all from the deceased victim.
Today, there are several theories on why people commit crimes. I will examine the rational choice theory and trait theory to get a better understanding of why people become violent offenders. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, “violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault” (fbi.gov). The UCR describes the following violent crimes: “Murder and non-negligent manslaughter are defined as the willful killing of one person by another. Forcible rape is defined as the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.
Discussed in this analytical summary will be the evolution of crime as entertainment from the 17th and 18th centuries, to the late 19th centuries, and now in the more modern era. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries crime was often viewed as not only a legal corruption but also demonstrated a lack of moral character. Cawelti claims that in the 17th and 18th centuries “ (A Crime) against the law was also an offense against God”(54) which therefore often made the punishment for the crimes that much more ruthless yet justifiable. Literature in regards to criminal acts during this time period often centered on the criminal’s crime and his retribution. Oftentimes this retribution was doled out in a manner that in today’s world would be considered too harsh, as capital punishment was a frequent sentence.
Hannah Howarth English assessment task Monster by Walter Dean Myers In his recent masterpiece “Monster” Walter Dean Myers brilliantly presents the story of young 16 year old Steve Harmon to uphold and raise his concerns about the mind puzzling Justice System in America and its confusing handling of minors. Walter skilfully questions the barbaric enforcement of the harsh felony murder laws and the courts sentencing of minors as adults in adult incarceration. He uses a variety of techniques to make his audience stop and think whether the American Justice system is doing right or wrong. Steve Harmon is on trial with James King for felony murder from a group robbery in Mr Nesbitts drugstore, Although Steve is not fully responsible
Mead Tristen Mrs. Duncan AP English 3 04 October 2013 Courtroom Appeals in the Sentencing of Dick and Perry In the non fiction novel In Cold Blood, written by Truman Capote, a murder has taken place in Holcomb, Kansas. The victims of this heinous crime were the Clutters, Herbert, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyan. After a long investigation, the courts convicted Perry Smith, and Richard Eugene Hicock, (Dick), for the murders. In this scene Perry, and Dick are on trial awaiting sentencing. Logan Green is now trying to convince the jury that Perry and Dick deserve life imprisonment or death by hanging.