Prompt
For your final course in criminal justice, you will create a research question that you will then investigate further. To assist you in this task, review the following list of current research topics covered in each course. Choose one of those topics (or another topic covered in this course) and create one to three research questions based on that topic. Then submit the questions to your instructor.
This research question assignment is graded based on completion, and instructor feedback should help you strengthen your questions for future use. After you have submitted the questions to your instructor, upload them (and the list of potential topics below, if you wish) to your ePortfolio PDF.
For more information on creating research questions, refer to this research resource from the Shapiro Library. This page also has a helpful FAQ section on research-question creation and expectations that you may want to explore further.
Topics:
Different types of communication styles and approaches
Different channels of communication (face-to-face, email, phone call, MDT, etc.)
Appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication
Crisis communication techniques
The importance of situational awareness
The consequences of ineffective communication
The importance of aligning communications and mission
The importance of appropriate communication with various groups
Interviewing purposes, techniques, and strategies
Developing interview questions
The importance of the interview setting
How criminal justice professionals demonstrate professionalism in court proceedings
Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:
Submit one to three research questions based on a topic covered in this course.
Guidelines for Submission
This assignment must be completed in a written format.
Category: Criminal homework help
Homicide is the illegal killing of a human. Identify and briefly summarize the three classifications of homicide.
Serial killer homicide
Discuss the impacts on the victim’s family, identify the resources available to those families, and explain the role of the criminal justice system in providing assistance to those families.
Submission Requirements
One (1) page
Name, class, and date should be at the top of the page
12 point font
Times New Roman or Arial
Use in-text citations
List all references at bottom of the page (APA)
In Virginia, mandatory arrest for the primary aggressor in a domestic violence situation became law in 1997. There are 25 years of additional data that could provide valuable insight. The question is are domestic violence services effective, and if so, are the effectives ones available locally? So, do you research, and then take a look at Virginia services. Approach this from the perspective that someone you know and care about may need them, so you need some specificity in what the service is and how to contact them. Feel free to contact the service and do a phone interview with a representative.
1000 words
In my opinion, I think judges should not be allowed discretion in sentencing while serving their duty in court. one person should not decide the verdict which will have heavy implications on someone’s livelihood. Judges are one of the most respectable and knowledgeable people in the quart room, and I believe they should hold a significant amount of power or “pull” per say. On the other hand, it is absolutely paramount that we don’t leave the decision of a court case to a singular person.
The strengths of limiting judicial discretion are as follows. Being able to limit discretion for judges leads to a sort of “checks and balances “in the courtroom. If we were to welcome the idea of complete judicial discretion in “Situational considerations, its misuse can adversely impact the court’s authority and good reputation.” (Zonay 2015) As we see in our legislative government, bouncing out the power is crucial for a fair and cooperative system. Instead of letting a single judge decide a court case, with potentially dire implications, we must allow the judge to collaborate with the jury, and other selected professionals in order to bring Justice to a case. When all of these people work together, it creates a sense of unity, and positively leads us to reaching common goal.
In my opinion, I believe that they required oversight of judges by the sentencing guidelines, are a “must” in order to limit the judicial discretion. Required oversight, like “Statutory limits, mandatory sentences, presumptive sentencing, and sentencing guidelines.” (Frederick 1984) are able to eliminate the one person decision and create the aforementioned checks and balance system that I suggested. The sentencing guidelines don’t need to be earth shattering, but it is clear that we need them set in place. Not only worth the actual verdict, but the potential of sentencing guidelines “Makes judges accountable for individual sentence length decisions.” (Frederick 1984). In conclusion, when we eliminate judicial discretion, we not only ensure fair trials, but also quicker and more reasonable decisions are made.
B C Frederick, E T Guider, V D Manti.(1984). Effects of limiting discretion in sentencing. Effects of Limiting Discretion in Sentencing | Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/effects-limiting-discretion-sentencing
Judge Thomas A. Zonay is the presiding judge of the superior court in Rutland. (2020, February 10). Judicial discretion in sentencing. The National Judicial College. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://www.judges.org/news-and-info/judicial-news-judicial-discretion-guidelines/
In your response to your peers, consider how well they justified their position, making use of available resources. Consider the following questions in your response posts:
Did they support their position convincingly using appropriate resources?
Which of their points make the most sense to you, even if you made your case for the opposing viewpoint?
The thread must be a minimum of 200-400 words. MINIMUM OF TWO SOURCES BESIDES THE TEXTBOOK. Must cite at least 2 sources in addition to the Bible.
TEXTBOOK: Bennett, B. T. (2018). Understanding, assessing, and responding to terrorism: Protecting critical infrastructure and personnel (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 9781119237785.
**JOHNATHAN**
Risk analysis and risk management do indeed correlate and intertwine; however, each process has its own distinct function. Risk analysis inspects every possible risk that may arise. Risk management deals with mitigation and possibly eliminating risks that do not need to be taken.
Risk analysis is difficult to examine due to the multitude of potential terror attacks that are possible. There are numerous avenues of attack that terrorists can pursue, which makes risk analyses very challenging. However, if a terror attack is the most likely course of action that will threaten an operation, project or endeavor, then terrorism should be the primary focus when completing a risk analysis. This is mainly because terrorists’ goals and objectives are claiming lives, with no regard for whom the victims may be.
Examining terror attacks is challenging to examine when conducting a risk analysis due to several factors. First, there are numerous types of terror attacks to consider. These include, but are not limited to, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), chemical attacks, nerve agent attacks, mass shootings/stabbings, and/or a combination of those types of attacks. Second, the damage the attacks could inflict would be on a rather wide spectrum; there is a possibility of one victim or perhaps thousands. Terrorism and all other hazards should be combined in a risk analysis if there is sufficient intel that reflects a possible and/or probable terror attack. I do not believe that terrorism should be included in every risk assessment, with particular focus upon reliable and accurate intelligence and threat assessments.
I believe that terrorism should not be the central focus on risk assessments and potential problems within critical infrastructure (CI) assets if the threat level is low. My opinion stems from the general condition and age of many of the CI throughout the U.S. There have been many more disasters and catastrophic CI failures due to deteriorated and aging CI assets when comparing these incidents to terror attacks. Terrorism must be taken into consideration when conducting risk analyses from an all-hazards perspective, however. Brown and Cox (2011) highlight that “infrastructure operators have always had to contend with disruptions from accidents, failures, and Mother Nature, but our current critical infrastructure systems were built when the threat of malicious adversaries was of scant concern” (p. 202). Private industry seeks to maximize profits, which has led to fragile and weakened CI assets. Moreover, Brown and Cox (2011) explain that “the same type of conditional probability assessment applies as well to terrorism risk analysis as to probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) of natural hazards and engineered systems” (p. 196). In short, each aspect of potential risks must be equally examined.
Christian Worldview
1 Corinthians 10:13 (English Standard Version) reminds us to keep focused and determined in this rapidly evolving world: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” References
Aven, T., & Guikema, S. (2015). On the concept and definition of terrorism risk. Risk analysis, 35(12), 2162-2171.
Bennett, B. T. (2018). Understanding, assessing, and responding to terrorism: Protecting critical infrastructure and personnel (2nd ed.).
Brown, G. G., & Cox, Jr, L. A. (2011). How probabilistic risk assessment can mislead terrorism risk analysts. Risk Analysis: An International Journal, 31(2), 196-204.
Holy Bible (English Standard Version). https://www.openbible.info Links to an external site.
Nowrasteh, A. (2016). Terrorism and immigration: A risk analysis. Cato Institute Policy Analysis, (798).
Rios-Insua, D., Rios, J., & Banks, D. (2009). Adversarial risk analysis. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 104(486), 841-854.
The thread must be a minimum of 200-400 words. MINIMUM OF TWO SOURCES BESIDES THE TEXTBOOK. Must cite at least 2 sources in addition to the Bible.
TEXTBOOK: Bennett, B. T. (2018). Understanding, assessing, and responding to terrorism: Protecting critical infrastructure and personnel (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 9781119237785.
***FRANK**
Correlation: The existence of a direct correlation or interconnected nature between terrorism, risk analysis, and risk management, undoubtedly because of past attacks, 9/11 in many instances have been cited as the cataclysm (Bennett, 2018). 9/11, as many people in this class recall, was a devastating and demoralizing day for all Americans, the progressive failure of so many security measures and emergency preparedness principles resulted in thousands of preventable deaths (Harrard, 2019). Geronazzo-Alman et al. (2019) evaluated children who experienced 9/11 firsthand or suffered immediate family member deaths, concluding that grieving, frustration, and depression are still innately tied to the event. Harrard (2019), on the emergency management side, argued that the police/fire/ems employees who unknowingly entered an unstable building on the verge of collapse were clearly American heroes but should have been diverted until more precautions were taken. Opinions on the subject will continue to vary, however, 9/11 lasting effect on American society is the connection between attackers acting as terrorists, risk analysis, and risk management (Bennett, 2018).
Terrorism and Risk Analysis: Assessing terrorism from a risk analysis perspective is extremely difficult, as the broad and widening capabilities of deviant-minded individuals continue to grow (Bennett, 2018). For example, jihadist extremists, traditionally the culprit for attacks against westernized societies, are modernizing within our technology-based culture by utilizing social media, internet hackers, and advanced weapons of mass destruction (Bindra, 2022). Bindra (2022) highlights how prompting disease hysteria on Twitter, like the recent Covid-19 pandemic, completely shut down American economic channels, security infrastructure advancements, and limited daily police functions. If properly equipped, terrorists could unleash a combination attack against American society through the usage of these items, mimicking the fallout of Covid-19 but with calculatedly incendiary ambitions (Bindra, 2022). The differences in risk analysis between the paralleling attacks are prolific, for instance, examining a physical terrorist attack like 9/11 conjures up notions about security checkpoints in airports and passport identification processes (Harrard, 2019). While on the other hand, the virus attack amplifies infection disease controls and mutual preparedness planning with scientists, two completely types of attacks to analyze (Bindra, 2022).
All-Hazards Perspective: Declaring the short answer to be yes, unquestionably comes with a series of stipulations, variances, and explanations (Bennett, 2018). An all-hazards perspective, generally speaking, is an acceptable ideology upon the initial consideration, weighing multiple attack types, enemies, and capabilities certainly cannot be viewed as negative (Jacobsen, 2020). However, delaying actual progression by overanalyzing unrealistic hypothetical assaults against critical infrastructure and excessively overburdening budgets to plan for such is counterproductive (Jacobsen, 2020). Therefore, the all-hazards ideology is helpful but the potential for regression within the analysis process is inevitable if taken to the extreme, arguing for a realistic, achievable, and affordable derived perspective (Bennett, 2018). Having attached that disclaimer, it would appear prudent, for emergency managers, to at least consider all hazards in the totality of risk analysis, checking a box amongst the lengthy process of adequate terrorism preparedness planning (Jacobsen, 2020).
Combining Terrorism with Other Hazards: Harrard (2019) asserts that a separate but equal mentality should be applied when considering terrorism versus other hazards, like a natural disaster or disease outbreak. The sentiment that either or any of these items can be ignored or displaced is utterly ridiculous, therefore, terrorism, and all competing hazards must be evaluated collectively (Bennett, 2018). For example, intentional attrition attacks, like poisoning food supplies or agroterrorism might not initially be taken as terrorism, causing differing emergency responses more focused on science instead of military premise (Harrard, 2019). The confusion spawned from covert terrorist attacks can result in failed response efforts, contending that any attack, disease, or hazard period should be viewed from every perspective appears logical (Harrard, 2019). Christians have always endured attacks throughout history, appealing to the morals and ethics of people, “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath” (English Standard Version, 2001/2016 Proverbs 29:8).
References
Bennett, B. (2018). Understanding, Assessing and Responding to Terrorism. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. Hoboken, NJ.
Bindra, S. (2020). Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism: An Analytical View. World
Affairs. 26(1). https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:wa&volume= 26&issue=1&article=001Links to an external site.
English Standard Version. (2016). Bible hub. Retrieved from https://biblehub.comLinks to an external site. (Original
work published 2001).
Harrard, J. (2019). Emergency Management Restructured: Intended and Unintended Outcomes
of Actions Taken Since 9/11. Emergency Management.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429425059-6Links to an external site.
Geronazzo-Alman, L., Fan, B., Duarte, C., Layne, C., Wicks, J., Guffanti, G., Musa, G., &
Hoven, C. (2019). The Distinctness of Grief, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress: Lessons from Children After 9/11. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 58(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.12.012Links to an external site.
Jacobsen, K. (2020). Will Covid-19 Generate Global Preparedness? The Lancet. 395(10229).
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30559-6Links to an external site.
Judicial discretion should be allowed for judges, as they are still required to consider sentencing guidelines and other factors such as a defendant’s criminal history and the level of the criminal offense committed. Judges are also required to submit a written explanation of the factors weighed and used to come to their decision, ensuring accountability.
“In 1984, Congress enacted the Federal Sentencing Guidelines as part of the Sentencing Reform Act. Prior to the enactment of the Guidelines, Federal judges had a tremendous amount of discretion in sentencing a defendant.” (Mahoney, 2012). The Federal Sentencing Guidelines forced judges to abide by sentencing guidelines and completely restricted their discretion in deciding sentences. ” In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court responded in United States v. Booker. In Booker, the Court re-established judicial discretion, holding that while Federal judges must consider the Guideline ranges for sentencing, they are free to tailor individual sentences based on additional statutory concerns and fairness. Now, a Federal judge may impose a sentence outside the Guideline range, provided that the judge provides a written explanation of the factors he weighed in reaching his decision.” (Mahoney, 2012).
The ultimate reason for me being in favor of a judge’s discretion is the severity of crimes committed. If judges were forced to follow mandatory sentencing guidelines, everyone who is charged with the same crime would encounter the same consequences. This does now allow for a fair legal system, as the severity of crimes, a defendant’s criminal history, circumstances, and the charges given to certain defendants can differ widely. As an example, a defendant with no prior criminal history could be charged with possession of a criminal substance in the seventh degree for possessing marijuana for recreational use; while a defendant with a long criminal history full of drug offenses could be charged with the same thing for possessing heroin. Should both of these defendants receive the same sentence or punishment? I do not believe so. A defendant’s criminal history, the severity of the crime, and circumstantial evidence should be taken into account when a judge decides a sentence, as the judge is also forced to take into account sentencing guidelines and remain accountable through an explanation of their decision. Also, in the event of this example, allowing judges to use discretion could allow the defendant with a long criminal history of drug offenses caught with heroin the opportunity to be offered rehabilitation (such a substance abuse treatment or drug court), instead of jail.
On the contrary, I will admit that I could foresee certain issues arising from judges being given discretion such as racial profiling. To provide an example of racial profiling and bias being implemented into a judge’s discretionary decision, a judge could impose a much higher sentence on an African American than a white man for the same crime. However, as mentioned earlier, there are methods of accountability put into place to avoid such issues as racial profiling, such as judges being forced to provide a written explanation for their discretion beyond sentencing guidelines. These methods of accountability can help to avoid discretionary decisions based on personal biases and ensure fair sentencing for all defendants.
References
Mahoney, K. (2012, 29 April). “Must a Judge Impose the Sentence Required by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines?” Relentless Defense. Retrieved from: https://www.relentlessdefense.com/must-a-judge-impose-the-sentence-required-by-the-federal-sentencing-guidelines/#:~:text=In%20Booker%2C%20the%20Court%20re-established%20judicial%20discretion%2C%20holding,sentences%20based%20on%20additional%20statutory%20concerns%20and%20fairness
Kronman, A. T. (1986). “The Problem of Judicial Discretion.” Faculty Scholarship Series 1063, p. 486. Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/fss_papers/1063
Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:
Apply interviewing types and techniques to collect information
Scenario
You are newly hired victim/witness advocate interviewing a male victim of domestic violence. This requires sensitivity, yet you have a job to do: assess the victim’s readiness for and willingness to participate in the court process. Because you are new to your job, your supervisor would like you to describe your strategy for this interview before you go into the field.
Directions
First, read the Project Three Scenario PDF. Then complete each of the following:
Strategy Part 1: Interview Purpose
To begin your interview strategy, in about one paragraph, describe the purpose and context of the interview. Answer the following questions in your description:
Why are you interviewing this person?
Why do you need this information?
What information do you need to provide to this person?
Strategy Part 2: Setting
Next, explain how the setting impacts an interview. In 250–300 words, answer the following:
What is the impact of the overall setting on the interviewee (the person being interviewed)?
What is the impact of the overall setting on the interviewer (the person conducting the interview)?
Strategy Part 3: Techniques and Strategies
Next, describe the effectiveness of interview techniques and strategies. In 250–300 words, answer the following:
Does your interviewee feel “free to leave”? Why or why not?
What type of body language will you use? Why?
What tone of voice will you use? Why?
Strategy Part 4: Question Types
Next, predict which question types will be the most helpful to gather necessary information. There are seven question types: reflective, directive, pointed, indirect, self-appraisal, diversion, and leading. Answer the following questions as you consider these question types:
What information do you need in this interview?
Which types of questions will help you gain the information you need?
Are there any question types that will be more useful to gain the information you need than others? Why?
Are there any question types that will be less useful to gain the information you need than others? Why?
What are some pitfalls you will want to avoid in creating your questions?
Strategy Part 5: Questions
Finally, to make sure you are fully prepared to conduct this interview, you will need to develop various types of interview questions that will help you gather the information you need.
Note: While preparing questions in advance is a good strategy for any interview situation, you will often have to adjust your questions based on the responses you get from your subject.
Using the information provided in the scenario, complete the following:
Create 5–10 interview questions.
Identify which question type you are creating.
(Hint: You may wish to present your question types and questions as follows: Diversion question: “How long have you lived in the area?”)
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Word document, Times New Roman, 12-point font.
Supporting Materials
The following resource(s) may help support your work on the project:
Document: Project Three Scenario PDF
This scenario provides background information that will help you complete this project.
Document: Victims Advocate Job Description
This job description provides background information on the role and responsibilities of a victim advocat
Overview
In this assignment, you will create a research question to add to your ePortfolio.
Prompt
In your final course in the criminal justice program, you will create a research question that you will then investigate further. To assist you in this task, we will provide a list of current research topics covered in each course and ask you to submit for instructor feedback at least one research question based on a topic covered in that course. Using the topics listed below (or others covered in this course), create one to three research questions and submit them to your instructor.
This research question assignment is graded based on completion, and instructor feedback should help you strengthen your questions for future use. After you have submitted the questions to your instructor, upload them (and the list of potential topics below, if you wish) to your ePortfolio PDF.
For more information on creating research questions, refer to this research resource from the Shapiro Library. This page also has a helpful FAQ section on research question creation and expectations that you may want to explore further.
Topics:
Organizational hierarchy and jurisdictions within the U.S. judicial system
Roles and responsibilities of those participating in the judicial system (judges, prosecution, defense, allied professionals, etc.)
Court processes and procedures, pretrial through sentencing
The role of juries in the criminal court process
Impact of U.S. Supreme Court decisions on criminal justice policy and professional practice
Living conditions for incarcerated individuals, especially juveniles
Steps that can be taken to avoid wrongful convictions
Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:
Submit one to three research questions based on a topic covered in this course.
Guidelines for Submission
This assignment must be completed in a written format.