Capital Punishment in our Criminal Justice System

Well hello there fellow bloggers! You did a GREAT JOB on your blogging assignment, I enjoy reading your comments and thoughts...let's get started on our next! You read 2 viewpoints of how the Death Penalty may or may not deter crime as well as other statistics in support for and against this form of punishment when you used the internet to research specific facts about the death penalty.

You each have your own idea about capital punishment and are now able to add strength and actual data to back up your opinion.

Your Assignment, you do not have to answer all of these, but they will help get you thinking:
1. Is capital punishment (death penalty) an effective deterrent to crime? why(not)?
2. What do you view as the biggest benefit/weakness to capital punishment?
3. The average cost of keeping a prisoner in jail for 1 year is $22,600. The average time spent on death row is 11 years. This is $248,600 spent on 1 inmate. The average cost per student in public school each year is $9,800 (a difference of $12,800). So, in your 12 years of schooling, the national average is $117,600. What is your opinion regarding this?
3. What surprised or shocked you in your findings about the death penalty?

After you blog, you are required to post a comment on at least 2 other blogs....check out new ones! :)

remember...I read each of your blogs and comments, so while you may not see me respond, I am looking!

Links to Blogs

WOW! Awesome work today! You made your own blog, wrote a response, and commented on at least 2 other blog responses. You did GREAT! This is going to be a fun and interactive way to promote discussion, communicate our ideas, get feedback, and use technology! yesss!!!

Here are all your blogs! ....remember, I'll be visiting each!
http://katecags.blogspot.com/
http://chriscolemansblog.blogspot.com/
http://mmdsnooks.blogspot.com/
http://mattchufox.blogspot.com/
http://dj-wombat.blogspot.com/
http://m-harmor.blogspot.com/
http://stephenhebberecht.blogspot.com/
http://mc-frosty.blogspot.com/
http://lawwithcookiesandmilk.blogspot.com/
http://meganmc13.blogspot.com/
http://jimmymai.blogspot.com/
http://savannahmariemigliore.blogspot.com/
http://evanpfeilsblog.blogspot.com/
http://mattpresciutti.blogspot.com/
http://stephaniepusateri.blogspot.com/
http://t-clutch.blogspot.com/
http://a-schmitt.blogspot.com/
http://iidonottblogg.blogspot.com/
http://caseytarana.blogspot.com/
http://kwoww.blogspot.com/
http://amandat1524.blogspot.com/
http://travisjvoellinger.blogspot.com/
http://shannon-criminallaw.blogspot.com/

Causes of Crime ~ February 5

GOODMORNING my brilliant criminal minds! You did AWESOME work in groups and you learned about what research and people believe to be the MAIN CAUSES of crime. Now that you know that these causes, the essential question is...what are we going to do to STOP the cycle? What is the solution? How can crime be prevented?

So many times society wants a "quick fix" and we see politicans passing laws to "control" crime...this is a "band-aid" solution...the things that will work require committment, sacrifice, and investment from all of us.

• What are your ideas?
• What are some things that will work and explain why.
• What are possible limitations to this? (funding, timing, etc)

I suggest doing a Google search first to get some ideas.... enter "solutions to crime in United States"

Criminal Law! Welcome!

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!

Ok...lets get on with the learning! Criminal law is a wonderful class and one of my absolute favorites to teach! We are gonig to have a great time this semester and you are going to learn and gorw so very much!

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:

Currently, the criminal justice system is broken down into two models, the Consensus model and the Conflict model. The criminal justice system is comprised of three basic levels, policing, justice, and corrections. Society relies on the two models of criminal justice system to ensure that justice is achieved. Some individuals disagree on which model should be implemented to guarantee due process.

Using your notes, write a paragraph stating at least 2 reasons why both models exist in society and 2 key terms that you think of when you hear about each of the models.

Select 1 model (consensus or conflict), and create a scenario like I demonstrated to you in class. Make sure it is apparent which model is represented through your scenario. This is your time to be creative and have fun demonstrating your knowledge!

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?