Abstract The writer of this paper states that the death penalty is justifiable on the grounds of deterrence, retribution, and increasing crime recidivism. This paper discusses whether the death penalty is socially and ethically justified or not. It brings in opinions from the Bible and other sources to argue that the death penalty is acceptable.
From the Paper "The world finds itself stagnated with ethical debates of social significance. Ever since history began, men have been arguing over what is right and what is wrong. There seems to be no one answer. And in fact, in some cases, such arguments become a matter of life and death. Such, indeed, is the nature of the debate carried on in this paper: the Death Penalty. We will seek to establish whether the death penalty is socially and ethically justified or not. The issue has a history dating back to the Eighteenth Century B.C., but it is not within the confines of the thesis presented hereforth, to delve into as much detail. We will argue and maintain that the death penalty is, indeed, justified."
Abstract This paper explores another argument against the death penalty: that capital punishment could not be fairly administered throughout the country. From state to state, variables such as race, class, and even gender continue to influence sentencing in capital cases. The inherent unfairness of this system is further seen in how states have different standards regarding what constitutes a capital offense. Given these differences, this paper proposes that a Constitutional amendment banning capital punishment is necessary on the grounds that the current administration of the death penalty is prone to conflicting interpretations by states, conflicting interpretations among jurors, and to the influence of extra-legal factors, such as gender, class, and race.
From the Paper "Currently, 38 states have legalized capital punishment statutes. In most states, the reinstatements of the death penalty were a response to public outcry over the perceived increase of violent crimes. There are now more than 3,000 people on death row. However, the death penalty continues to raise many disturbing questions. Study after study, however, has shown no correlation between the availability of a death penalty and crime. A study by the Death Penalty Information Center shows that United States, which retains the death penalty, has a murder rate that is more than three times that of many of its European allies that have banned capital punishment (DPIC homepage)."
An examination of the conflict between an individual's right to privacy and the public's need for safety in the context of sex-offender notification rules.
Abstract This paper examines how the United States is a country that prides itself on the level of freedom afforded to its citizens and how freedom and the rights of the individual are two concepts that helped shape the very backbone of the country. It also discusses how the concept of public order provides a framework by which most citizens can operate. In particular, it looks at what happens when there is a clash between individual rights and public order in the context of sex-offender notification rules. It concludes that the safety of the community should and must take precedence over the sex offender's individual right to privacy.
From the Paper "Many cities have sex-offender notification laws on the books. These laws mandate that a convicted sex offender must notify the local police in the community in which he (most sex offenders are male; in fact the Department of Justice [1996] has determined that all but 3 percent of offenders who commit violent crimes against children are male) decides to live upon being released from prison. He is required to provide to the police information such as his place of residence, his place of employment, if he moves and where he is moving to, and other basic information. The police then make this information available to the community in some form, whether it be through a Web site, mailings, announcements in the newspapers, announcements at neighborhood meetings, and so on."
Abstract This paper discusses how criminals today are using modern technology to prey on innocent victims and how computers and the Internet have made the predator's job easier. It looks at how, in the past, child predators found their victims in public places where children tend to gather, such as schoolyards, playgrounds, and shopping malls, and how, today, they have a new place in cyberspace to target children for criminal acts. It looks at how the Internet must be monitored and investigated to prevent crimes against children. It discusses the topic of Internet child-luring and sexual crimes in an effort to determine how the Internet can be used as an investigative tool to prevent these types of crimes.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
About Internet Child Luring
How the Internet Enables Pedophilia and Internet Child Luring
Protecting Children from Internet Crime
Agencies that Combat Internet Child Luring and Sexual Crimes
Using the Internet as an Investigative Tool to Stop Cybercrime Against Children
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Innovative Internet technology gives pedophiles the opportunity to exchange information about children in an organized environment (Faulkner, 1997). By using the Internet, they can meet in chat rooms and educate one another on how to commit this crime. Over the Internet, pedophiles exchange plans and ideas about how to meet, attract, and exploit children, -- and how to lure the parents of these children into a false sense of security about their presence within the family structure. Many Internet sites host online "How To" seminar in pedophilia activities, whether the site managers know it or not."
Abstract Though there is opposition to the need for college-educated police officers on the grounds that there is a wide gap between classroom theory and street reality, this paper argues that it is evident that education can bring many important benefits, such as a more positive image of the police as protectors of justice and peace. It claims that higher education will help provide improved relations with the communities served, problem solving skills using human relations and behavioral management techniques, and an organizational structure that will optimize available resources.
From the Paper "The police force in any country has a vital role to play in terms of achieving its intended mission of crime prevention, protection of life and property and apprehending violators of peace. The police force, therefore, are the upholders of justice and peace, and to that extent, it is they, more than anyone else who need to practice an underlying code of ethics that is true to the spirit of democracy: ??the mission "to protect and serve" is not so simple"require distinct and separate skills" ?artistry of police work lies in the ability to handle explosive situations without resorting to force.? (Delattre, 1989, p. 25-26) The practice of justice in police work does not only involve overt criminal acts but various types of community service including assisting the sick and injured or defusing domestic tension and violence. Now, the fact is, even if the police force have ingrained humane values and ethics, such situations require specialist and varying skills. Besides the necessary knowledge and skill base required to perform their duties, the police are increasingly under pressure to deliver a wide range of services using limited human and financial resources, which requires optimization through applying management principles and techniques. It is, for these reasons that the role of education in policing begins to assume importance."
Abstract This paper explains that society is forced to ask itself: What makes society different from the murderer, if it is so easily prepared to sentence someone to lethal injection or the chair? The author points out that both proponents for and activists against capital punishment in the form of the death penalty use the 'sanctity of life' as part of their argument. The paper concludes that, ethically, capital punishment is wrong because society is placing a huge amount of moral power within individuals' hands by implementing death sentences and executions; therefore, society must find other deterrents to serious crimes and acts of treason that do not involve capital punishment.
From the Paper "Capital Punishment has been in effect since the 1970s, despite cases and controversy that it goes against a person's 8th Amendment rights. Nevertheless, there has been changes in Capital Punishment laws and "in 2002 the Court barred the execution of mentally retarded offenders, overturning its 1989 ruling on the matter. In the same year the Court ruled that the death penalty must be imposed through a finding of a jury and not a judge" (Columbia, 2003). In 2002, lethal injection accounted for 71 executions (CP Statistics, 2003) while 1 was carried out by electrocution. Statistics in Capital Punishment have shown though that the numbers for 2002 have decreased for a second year in a row, and all inmates on Death Row had committed murder."
Abstract This paper examines how street racing has existed for generations and how it was most likely James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" that spurred American youth onto the streets for nighttime drag racing, creating a cult that lives on among today's youth. It looks at how street racing is found in every city and town across the country and how the consequences can often prove fatal for many youths. It also discusses attempts by the police and lawmakers to curb illegal street racing.
From the Paper "In the 1940's bored teenagers began making their own cars from frames of 1920's and 1930's Fords and Chevys and started racing along the dry lakes of Southern California(Street pg). The vintage gangster mobiles were the first proven formula cars, especially Fords and Chevys and especially the ?32 Fords with the first V-8 engine (Street pg). Then street racing began to take over city blocks, however, the police turned an eye, it was considered harmless, unlawful, but harmless (Street pg). By the 1950's street racing teams had formed, collaborating on one high performance car, the engine bored and stroked with headers and Mallory ignitions (Street pg). Across America, stoplights became the unofficial street racing launch pads, and police began cracking down and making arrests (Street pg)."
Abstract The use of marijuana on college campuses is one of the most contentious issues facing the academic world today. Marijuana is widely used within American society, despite widespread anti-drug lobbies and prevention campaigns. This paper shows that the effects of marijuana have been said to include effects on memory, negative social effects and health effects like cancer, immune damage, and respiratory problems. Additionally, anti-marijuana groups often point to marijuana as a "gateway" drug and note that marijuana use can potentially be dangerous while driving. The paper shows, however, in contrast, many scientists contend that marijuana is largely misunderstood and may have many positive medical uses. Given this debate, it becomes difficult to determine how marijuana use should be regulated or prevented, especially given the stunning inability of current approaches to stop the growth of marijuana use among young people. The paper shows that decriminalization of the drug is one likely candidate, coupled with stiff penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana or selling marijuana to children. The complexities of the political, social, and scientific aspects of this debate ensure that the problem of marijuana use on college campuses will not be easily solved.
From the Paper "Many scientists and drug experts argue that marijuana is a deeply misunderstood drug. In fact, Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart argue that marijuana is "one of the most benign substances known to man." They suggest that the current criminalization of marijuana came from needlessly worried parents and liquor and pharmaceutical companies that were worried about losing market share. They argue that most of the evidence against marijuana is either misinterpreted or false. Further, they argue that the government's anti-drug policy is driven by political and social reasoning, rather than any strong scientific evidence of the dangers of marijuana use (Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart). Further, Earleywine and Marlatt provide some convincing evidence that marijuana use does not impair the grade of college students who use the drugs."
Abstract This research paper attempts to discover a relationship between juvenile drug experimentation and later criminal behavior in order to determine if youthful drug experimentation is actually a causative factor in juvenile and adult crime.
From the Paper "This issue is important because existing research does not provide sufficient information for public policy on crime to be formulated on the basis of youthful drug experimentation's influence. There are, however, certain things already known. First, a male property offender tends to be born into a low-income family with criminal parents. He is raised with poor child-rearing techniques, and in schools has either low attainment or low intelligence. Moreover, the commission of property offences, such as theft and burglary, are often associated with violence, drug use, excessive drinking, reckless driving and sexual promiscuity. (Farrington 1987) This study could close that gap, making the connection between drinking and drug use clear regarding such use by juveniles and their development into criminals as adults."
Abstract Law enforcement officials, as well as other agencies, have begun to examine the impact of police pursuits on society at large, the officer, and the offender. This paper examines whether we can justify the need for high-speed chases to catch a speeder or car thief as, too often, the result is a fatality to an innocent victim who happens to be in the line of pursuit.
From the Paper "Pursuits are a necessary evil; in order to protect society and the officer, there needs to be more public awareness of the issues involved in trying to escape or flee the scene of a crime. Public safety advocates would argue that there are no circumstances that merit putting a human life in danger. Unfortunately, if you are the victim of a crime, your attitude might be different about doing whatever it takes to apprehend the offender. If laws were enacted that would discourage this behavior, pursuits would not be as necessary as they are today. In all cases, human life is jeopardized and casualties are a great possibility."
Abstract This paper looks at the approach traditionally taken to explain the motivations and actions of serial murderers and then goes on to explain why this approach alone is inadequate. The paper then suggests that, in order to explain the actions and motivations of a serial murderer, it is important to look at the societal factors, as well as the psychological factors, that may contribute to the makings of a serial murderer. Finally, the paper then discusses some of these potential contributing factors.
From the Paper "The definition of serial killing has in the past more commonly focused on the individual's psychological makeup and psychopathology rather than sociological aspects. However, researchers have begun to realize the importance of societal influences - in combination with the psychological aspects - and the part that these factors play in the causes and underlying reasons for serial killings."
Abstract This paper explains the reasons for the origin of the exclusionary rule and then looks at how this rule has led to the abuse of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The paper contends that use of the exclusionary rule has enabled guilty criminals to go free and that its original intention has been so distorted that it no longer fulfills its intended function and is instead a tool for protecting the rights of criminals.
From the Paper "Our nation's judicial system was designed in order to protect the rights of every person from being trampled on by a legal steamroller, or a judicial juggernaut focused on seeking it's own will, rather than dispensing fair, and well deliberated justice. The Framers of the constitution had existed for years under the tyrannical and sometimes whimsical rule of King George, and wanted to safeguard the rights of the citizens involved in legal disputes. However, in recent times, the rights of citizens have bled over, and colored the proceeding by creating rights for guilty criminals. In these cases the laws have made it more difficult to secure judgments against those guilty of criminal activity."
Abstract This paper identifies and elaborates on the various alternatives to traditional methods of probation and parole. In many cases, probation and parole in the United States simply do not work, or do not apply to all offenders and, instead, they add to the problem of recidivism in the nation's prisons. The criminal justice system needs to find alternatives to traditional methods of parole and probation to combat the overcrowding of the system, as well as the problems with maintaining control of parolees and probationers.
From the Paper "First, the nation must create better, more meaningful educational opportunities for young minorities, to keep them in school rather than on the streets, and more drug and addiction counseling so that those criminals who are addicts can lead more meaningful lives away from crime and addiction. It is clear the criminal justice system needs to evolve into something that is more viable and more serviceable to the people in the system, and the first way is to keep people out of the system in the first place."
Abstract This paper argues that capital punishment cannot be equaled to murder or considered unjust. As an effective method of instilling the fear of committing crimes, capital punishment must be awarded against the worst and barbarous criminals acts. The paper presents the views that, in the interest of the greater well-being of society, it is permissible to award the death penalty in such situations.
From the Paper "Spiritualists argue that inflicting death can never be justified as a rightful act. Some crimes are so severe that it is essential in the interest of the society to enforce strict punishments not only to instill the fear of committing such horrific crimes but also as a retributive measure. As professor John McAdams says, "If we execute murderers and there is in fact no deterrent effect, we have killed a bunch of murderers. If we fail to execute murderers, and doing so would in fact have deterred other murders, we have allowed the killing of a bunch of innocent victims. I would much rather risk the former. This, to me, is not a tough call." [Justice For All]. Heinous crimes such as murders are not tolerable in a society and they need to be effectively dealt with. A discussion of capital punishment from the utilitarian as well as the deontological moral theories would help us understand the issue better."
Abstract This paper first provides background and historical information on DNA research and technology. The paper then discusses how this technology can be applied to modern law enforcement and the private and public policy issues that the collection of DNA information has given rise to. Finally, the paper takes a look at the future implications of this technology and the way it will revolutionize medicine and our understanding of genetic diseases.
From the Paper "It was realized almost immediately, that blood typing had potential value for criminal identification investigations, paternity confirmation and exclusion, and other evidentiary purposes, because they were dictated by Mendel's Laws of Inheritance. By the 1960s?, researchers had identified many other more subtle factors than surface antigens, enabling them to differentiate blood samples by virtue of specific enzymes and serum proteins that conferred much greater accuracy to the determinations (or exclusions) of identity revealed through blood studies."
