Discussions and Individual Project Academic Help

Need help with my Law question – I’m studying for my class.

DISCUSSION 1

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

• Which Amendment in the Bill of Rights do you feel is the most important with regard to the rights of incarcerated individuals? Explain your reasoning.
• What major issues exist with regard to the legality of corrections programs? Explain.
  • Do you feel that prisoners should be allowed recreational programs? Why or why not?
  • Do you feel that prisoners should be allowed various types of luxuries such as television, reading materials, and so on? Why or why not?
• What do you think constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in a correctional environment? Explain.
• How do you feel about medical care provided to prisoners? Explain.
  • Should there be any restrictions? Why or why not?

DISCUSSION 2

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

The purpose of this assignment is to gain additional knowledge of your state’s prison system.

Using your state of residence (or a neighboring state), research the agency responsible for housing inmates in state prison (examples include the Department of Corrections or the Department of Public Safety for your selected state). Assess the following inmate profile:

William Marks was just sentenced to 4 years in state prison after pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon (striking an individual with a bat, causing the victim serious bodily injury and broken bones). He is currently in the local jail awaiting transfer to the state diagnostic prison for placement in a prison somewhere in the state to commence his custodial sentence. He is 25 years old, has a history of substance abuse, and has mental health issues (depression, not currently on medication). He dropped out of high school, and has not had stable employment. He has two prior drug offense convictions.

When it comes to placement in prison, an inmate is placed at a facility based on their risks and needs.

Address the following in your discussion:

• Identify 3–4 of William Marks’ risks and needs that could be addressed while he is in custody.
• Based on options in your selected state, what programs could he participate in while in custody?

DISCUSSION 3

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Consider the following scenario:

Michael Anderson is currently in state prison completing a 6-year custodial sanction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine). Inmate Anderson will be released in 3 months from now to start his 2-year parole term.

The process of returning back to the community from custody is known as reentry. Inmates face a lot of obstacles when they return to the community after a period of custody.

Address the following in your discussion:

• What is the purpose of reentry planning?
• What are the 3 biggest challenges that inmate Anderson (and other inmates) face when returning back to the community?
  • What can be done to address these 3 challenges and make it a smoother transition out of custody?
• What should the inmate expect upon his or her initial release from custody?
• What can he or she do to increase his or her chances of success upon release?

DISCUSSION 4

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

• What factors do you think the judge should take into consideration when trying to arrive at a decision on how to ensure the defendant’s right to a public and speedy trial?
• Do you believe that the press has a right to be present during trials? Why or why not? Explain your position.
• What problems do you foresee, if any, with allowing television cameras inside the courtroom? Explain your position.

ASSIGNMENT 1

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, but under your state’s law, the offense charged is considered special circumstances, which would qualify as a death penalty case. Your decision does not sit well with the law enforcement community.

Assignment Guidelines

• 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?
• Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.