The paper discusses the role of learning theory in murder, and explains different theories of criminal behavior to understand why people commit crimes.
Abstract The paper looks at the various reasons for people's criminal behavior as well as the biological, sociological and psychological theories explaining their actions. The paper also analyzes the role of learning in murder and shows that murderers are not born but learn their behavior based on their environment.
From the Paper "In the world of criminology, the most interesting crimes are not necessarily the most common crimes. Serial killers, mass murders, and spree murders are given fame for their crime even though their murders only account for approximately three or four percent of murders. People are interested in these murderers because their acts are surprising and unexplainable for the average person."
Abstract The paper examines the different chemical castration laws that call for such treatment on sexual offenders. It also looks the effectiveness of castration on different types of sexual offenders and the benefits of this treatment in reducing recidivism rates. The paper analyzes the danger of creating a false sense of security by relying solely on this treatment. It also discusses the infringement of offenders' constitutional rights by castration.
From the Paper "Chemical castration is becoming a popular "get tough" measure against sex offenders that is gaining popularity across the country. In 1996 California became the first state to enact a chemical castration law, and in 1997 three other states followed their lead. Under the California statute chemical castration is mandated for all paroled two-time sex offenders, and within the judge or parole board's discretion for first time offenders. "It will now be possible for judges in chemical castration jurisdictions to condition probation on the convict accepting chemical castration" (Meisenkothen 141). This widespread injection of the chemical castration treatment into the criminal justice system before the effectiveness and weaknesses of the treatment are fully understood is a mistake."
Abstract This paper argues that DNA testing should be available to prisoners on death row who maintain their innocence. This argument is based on three principles. The first point discussed is a scientific argument that DNA testing is one of the most reliable crime solving tactics available today. The second point is an economic argument, since state-funded DNA tests ultimately costs the taxpayers less than the appeals process and the costs of housing an innocent prisoner. Finally, the most important argument for DNA testing is moral. The writer states that making DNA tests available for prisoners would further the judicial process not only by helping convict the guilty, but also by exonerating the innocent.
From the Paper "The use of DNA in solving crimes has become widely accepted. DNA is now routinely presented in courts as evidence. DNA evidence had helped to identify crime victims and has helped put criminals behind bars.
However, DNA evidence is also becoming valuable in another aspect of the judicial system. Increasingly, DNA testing is helping lawyers in defending innocent clients. In many cases, DNA tests have proven the innocence of many prisoners who have been in jail for years. This includes prisoners who would otherwise have been executed."
Abstract This paper examines how the use of force by police officers is a serious issue both for the police and for the community they serve and protect. It looks at how the Constitution's Fourth Amendment protects us from excessive force during an arrest, but since our police officers often have to deal with suspects willing to go to great lengths, including using deadly force, to evade arrest, it is inevitable that police will have to use force. It analyzes how it may be considered a balancing act: police are entitled to handcuff suspects to maintain control even if the person is later cleared. It looks at how the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that use of force is central to law enforcement.
From the Paper "The police have to walk a fine line, particularly in communities where excessive force or even police brutality have been an issue in the past. Particularly in sensitive communities, the perception of excessive force can be enough to trigger public outcries and demonstrations even when it is ultimately shown that the police officers acted with restraint given the circumstances they faced at the time. The Department of Justice has prepared a booklet for use by community police departments titled Police Use of Excessive Force: A conciliation Handbook for the Police and the Community. They make the point that communities must believe that justice will prevail if they are to have confidence in their police force (DOJ, 2002)."
Abstract Adequate security is now accepted as a basic requirement for every e-commerce or networked system. This applies to all the underlying components - the LAN, Firewall, Routers, Internet and so on. The paper shows that as the surge of online consumers continues, e-commerce security is drawing more and more attention from businesses and consumers alike. But one issue, the security of proprietary information sent over the internet, keeps getting in the way. In expanding access to e-commerce solutions, organizations increase their risk of exposing vital corporate information to external parties. The paper shows that such viruses and hacker tools are available around the world virtually instantaneously via the Web. Viral detection software can find and eliminate computer viruses. However, even when one problem is addressed, companies cannot get too comfortable, because safe today does not mean safe tomorrow.
From the Paper "The security problems of the future will be the same as those of the present: management of complexity. Software systems suffer security problems because they are complex, large, and difficult to program; a single flaw can give an attacker a foothold into an otherwise very strong system. Good design and a solid security foundation can provide multiple levels of protection, and reduce the risk of a system being completely compromised. Future electronic commerce systems will require correct interoperation among end points, browsers, servers, firewalls, and other network devices that haven't been invented yet. As the number of cooperating agents increases, the chances that everything will perform correctly decreases."
Abstract This paper discusses racial profiling, which by most definitions is the targeting of a person for no other reason than his or her apparent race. It examines how those who are advocates of profiling believe it will increase the security of residents because it will allow the questioning of those who fit the profile of terrorists, drug dealers etc. It looks at how those who are against racial profiling argue that it not only will not stop terrorism, drug dealing etc, but it is against the very constitution that America was built on.
Outline
Introduction
What is it?
What is the Expert Response?
What do the Profiled Think?
History
Perceptions
Advocates of Profiling Point to the Stats
Conclusion
From the Paper "If one asks the general public when racial profiling became an issue many would point to the events of 9-11 when the New York World trade Towers came down with terrorist attacks. This event captured the world's attention and caused millions to rethink their position on the topic of racial profiling but that is not where the topic originated. There have been many years of argument regarding racial profiling and it has stemmed from accusations, trials, deaths and other events that happened well before the events of 9-11 ever did. Racial profiling has been an issue for law enforcement agencies around the world and in America it has come to a head with several widely publicized suits over it. Racial profiling has a long history in America as well as other nations. America, which is known globally as the most tolerant, diversity embracing nation in the world has spent years exploring and investigating racial profiling, it's uses and its occurrences."
Abstract The paper traces Escobar's life from humble peasant beginnings to powerful cocaine drug dealer and kingpin. The paper discusses the sound financial decisions Escobar made as well as the way he invested in legitimate projects using the funds he gained illegally. The paper explores the influence Escobar had and the way he worked, ultimately unsuccessfully, to establish a no-extradition clause into the Colombian constitution.
From the Paper "Escobar believed his entire life that he was something special. He wanted to get to the top quickly and as a child decided he was not going to take the slow and steady path that law abiding citizens took. He began a life of crime, without regard to who he hurt and killed along the way(Fontaine, 2001). His eventual success in the community did not negate the means he used to gain that success however and when he tried to use his gained political popularity to change the constitution in a manner that would erase his past the public turned on him. He went to prison, escaped and died(Fontaine, 2001). Had Escobar not existed, the business aspects of the drug world would not be as organized as it is. He was able to develop solid financial and business practices in an illegal world. He left a mark in which is name will always be associated with the notorious drug lords of the world. Pablo Esobar wanted the good life, but he didn?t care who he hurt to get it."
Abstract This paper provides a detailed overview of the problem of juvenile delinquency world-wide. It begins by showing that the problem is not only in the United States, but is felt in other places such as Latin America and Communist countries. The paper then questions why there is such an upsurge in juvenile delinquency, looking at possible causes such as education, targeting by professional criminals, school drop-out and drug and alcohol abuse. The paper looks at possible solutions, including military education, human contact and positive educational experiences.
From the Paper "The solutions of the past are not foolproof. It's ironic that the military has often come through as a successful remedy for juvenile delinquents. Experts say that juvenile offenders who turn their lives around and go straight acknowledge a single, significant relationship as the catalyst for change. While the legal system toughens the juvenile penal code and focuses on additional consequences for juvenile crime, finding solutions has been difficult. Society is beginning to realize that the best solution, however, might be simple human contact. A caring, responsible adult can be the turning point juvenile delinquents may need. When children who were juvenile delinquents turn their lives around, it's because they have been able to enter into some type of relationship with an well intentioned adult be it a parent, teacher, counselor or some other role model."
Abstract This paper addresses the reasons behind pathological behavior such as substance abuse. It looks at ideas by social theorists such as Emile Durkheim and Victor Shaw who have paved the way for our understanding on the issue. The paper examines Durkheim's "The Rules of Sociological Method" where he questions what is normal and what is pathological. It also shows his views on crime and criminal behavior. The paper then discusses Victor Shaw's theories on functionalism and how it fits into Durkheim's ideas. The paper concludes with suggestions on approaching substance abuse in the 'real world'.
Paper Outline:
Durkheim on what is Normal and what is Pathological
Crime and Criminals: Durkheim says it's all Normal
Shaw on Functionalism through the writings of Durkheim and Others
Durkheim Justifies his Method and his Rules of Distinction
Duty and Morality
Theoretical Explanation of Substance Abuse
Policy Suggestions on Approaching Substance Use and Abuse in the Real World
From the Paper "Durkheim (1982, 101) says "crime is necessary" because it is ?linked to the basic conditions of social life.? And it is ?useful,? too, ?for the conditions to which it is bound are themselves indispensable to the normal evolution of morality and law.? That may be a little hard for a prosecutor to swallow as he prepares a case against a college student who not only uses cocaine, for example, but sells cocaine to fellow students to support her habit. But for Durkheim's part, he states (1982, 101-102) that individual originality, in order to evolve, ?must be allowed to manifest itself.? And, so that the "idealist who dreams of transcending his era" must be allowed to "display" himself, so, too, must "the criminal" be allowed to fall short of his era. That would seem more philosophical than sociological, but soon after those remarks Durkheim says ?crime itself may play a useful part...? in the evolution of society. "
Abstract This paper explores the controversial subject of minors being executed for crimes. It explores several cases when minors were sentenced to death for cruel murders committed. The paper argues that although sentencing a minor to death is not a solution to crime, certain circumstances require this type of justice to be meted out.
From the Paper "The Supreme Court case of Stanford v. Kentucky set the federal minimum age of minors executed. The case actually involved two offenders. First, Kevin Stanford was charged with killing Barbel Poore, who was 20 years of age. Stanford repeatedly raped and sodomized Poore during and after a robbery at a gas station where she worked. He then shot her in the face, then in the back of the head. Does this sound like an act of a child? Another case studied involved Heath Wilkins. He was 16 and a half when he robbed a store and murdered 26-year-old Nancy Allen. After stabbing her 8 times, he left her to die. These do not seem like the acts that a na?ve child would make. These acts were well planned and their consequences were known."
Abstract This paper details the different branches or areas of the American criminal justice system through a description of events from the commission of a crime to imprisonment.
Abstract Prohibition failed because it was an unrealistic and unenforceable law that created problems, wasted tax money, and unnecessarily restricted personal freedom, exactly as the War on Drugs is failing today. This paper describes American alcohol use, the temperance movement, Prohibition, and the War on Drugs and explains how legalizing drugs would reduce crime and public health problems.
Abstract This paper presents a look at the drunk driving topic. The author of this paper discusses the meaning of drunk driving, some of the ways that drinking impairs the ability to drive and presents statistics concerning drunk driving and accidents.
Abstract This paper looks at the correctional systems and the purpose they serve. It then describes the correctional system and explains what purpose they serve for society. .
Abstract This paper examines the reason why some individuals engage in criminal behavior. Many researchers in recent years have started to focus on the element of choice, rational choice. This paper examines Rational Choice Theory. .
