Criminal Justice, Second Semester

Welcome to Second Semester and February! I'm having difficulty believing that we are 1/2 way through the school year! While I am not looking forward to how quickly this semester will go by, I'm certainly looking forward to the snow melting! First thing you need to know about me...I'm not a fan of snow, or winter, or ice, or wind and the combination of each is not pleasant. But I'm here for you so thus, I will get through it and look forward to April weather!

Each of you will be creating a blog just like this one on Blogger, but remember to check back here for important updates, assignments, and new posts that are required for you to blog about.

Here is your first blogging assignment: Select ONE of the options to write about

OPTION 1
The theme of the first part of this course is one of individual rights versus public order. The personal freedoms guaranteed to law-abiding citizens as well as to criminal suspects by the Constitution must be closely guarded. At the same time, the urgent social needs of communities for controlling unacceptable behavior and protecting law-abiding citizens from harm must be recognized. This theme is represented by two opposing groups: individual-rights advocates and public-order advocates. The fundamental challenge facing the practice of American criminal justice is in achieving efficient enforcement of the laws while simultaneously recognizing and supporting the legal rights of suspects and the legitimate personal differences and prerogatives of individuals.

Some say that the central purpose of the criminal justice system is the maintenance of social order. Others say that the justice system must respect the rights of those whom it processes.

Are the two perspectives mutually exclusive? What is your stance?

OPTION 2
The American experience with crime during the last half century has been especially influential in shaping the criminal justice system of today. Although crime waves have come and gone, some events during the past century stand out as especially significant, including a spurt of widespread organized criminal activity associated with the Prohibition years of the early twentieth century; the substantial increase in "traditional" crimes during the 1960s and 1970s; the threat to the American way of life represented by illicit drugs around the same time; and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Based on your knowledge, what do you believe was the most influential time in shaping the criminal justice system of today. Why do you believe this?