Abstract This paper examines how youth crime is increasing and how, although violent crime by juveniles is decreasing; younger juveniles account for a substantial proportion juvenile arrests and the juvenile court caseload. It looks at the history and the organization within the youth gang and the different developmental pathways to delinquency. It also discusses some of the laws effecting juvenile delinquents.
From the Paper "It seems that as the years go by, we hear about so many crimes committed by youths. One memorable crime that comes to mind is the shooting at Columbine High School that happened on April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were associated with a group called the "trenchcoat" mafia. This group is made out of students that are an outcast from the school. When the shooting occurred, it was targeted to athletics. The athletics were popular and had great social influence at the school, which was one of the main reasons that the "trenchcoat" mafia hated. This is an example of youth gang and a horrific crime that they committed. 14 students and 1 teacher died from the shooting. It was clear that when Dylan and Eric planned for the shooting, they were going to kill all the athletics."
Abstract Using Mark Juergensmeyer's book "Terror in the Mind of God" as a reference, this paper examines how religion sometimes influences its believers in such an extreme way that they turn to terrorism in the name of God. The paper examines the origins of terrorism, cultures of violence and the future of terrorism.
From the Paper "Juergensmeyer's ideas discussed in the book go against what most criminological theories of crime causation tell us. Rational Choice theory, which is the theory used almost exclusively in today's criminal justice field, believes that criminals choose to commit crime by weighing the potential benefits versus the potential risks. (Siegal, 107). This assumption that offenders make a rational informed decision affects crime prevention strategies (Siegal, 129). The religious terrorist, however, is in a cosmic frame of mind where moral religious values override any sense of legal right or wrong."
This paper discusses the theories of Lev Vygotsky, Albert Bandura and B.F. Skinner to evaluate the potential link between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency.
Abstract This paper explains that children with learning disabilities can easily become alienated from their families, schools and legal authorities. Alienated disabled children are more likely to associate with other alienated children, encouraging each other to commit acts of hostility and delinquency. The author points out that the social learning theory, which states that aggression is not inherited but rather learned through a process called behavior modeling, is the behavior theory most relevant to criminology. The paper concludes that there is no conclusive relationship between learning disabilities and delinquency; however, more research is needed to show that early signs of violence in children can be linked to their environment and a violence-prone history of hyperactive behavior.
Table of Contents
Learning Disability and Juvenile Delinquency
Specific Disabilities
Identifiable Traits
Vygotsky's Social Interaction
Zone of Proximal Development
Self-Regulation
Bandura's Observational Learning
B. F. Skinner's Approach To Learning
The Black Box Metaphor
Reinforcement and Repetition
Conclusion
From the Paper "Finally, using Skinner's Methods, a student needs opportunities available from his parents and teachers that will give him something to do, something to learn and feel the self-confidence, as he interact with various peers. The student in a conducive environment, receiving encouragement and attention, will take on this learning responsibility and find areas of interest that will mold him for life (Skinner 1969). Students with learning disabilities have more difficulty than others in grasping concepts and communicating information in class. To be effective and ensure learning is taking place, teachers should modify their instruction to meet the various learning styles and abilities of each student with learning disabilities."
Tags: behavior-modification, interaction, learned, behavior-modeling, research
Abstract Jeffrey Dahmer was one of America's most notorious serial killers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His victims were sexually abused and massacred in the most appalling manner. Dahmer was finally arrested after one of his would be victim escaped from Dahmer's custody. Dahmer was later charged with fifteen counts of murder and plead not guilty by reason of insanity. However, a court rejected his plea and his was sentenced for the murders. This paper explains, that to fully understand the life of a serial killer such as Dahmer, it is helpful to look at his family background, criminal history, personality profile and his sentencing. This paper examines all of these elements to better understand how one could commit such heinous crimes.
From the Paper "Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was born to Lionel and Joyce Dahmer on May 21, 1960 in Milwaukee. This was the young couple's first child and both were extremely happy. Lionel was an electrical engineer with both a master's and a bachelor's degree but set his eyes on a Ph.D. According to Davis (1991) in his biography of Jeffrey Dahmer, in November of 1966 Lionel earned his doctorate in analytical chemistry from Iowa State University while at the same time supporting his little family (page 20). They then moved to Doylestown, Ohio were Lionel found work as a chemist. Soon thereafter Joyce gave birth to Jeffrey's younger brother David. It was then that they moved once again to Bath Township to start a life."
Tags: crime, dahmer, jeffrey, killer, personality, sentencing, serial
Abstract This paper explains that plea bargain is primarily a negotiation between the defendant and his or her attorney on one side and the prosecutor on the other, in which the defendant agrees to plead "guilty" or "no contest" to a crime in return for benefits such as the reduction of the severity or dismissal of the charges. The author points out that plea bargaining has become so pervasive because it is an out of court settlement, which helps reduce the high volume of cases facing the judicial system, provides a win-win scenario for both the prosecutor and the defendant's attorney and obtains the defendant's willingness to testify for the prosecution in other associated cases. The paper relates that the negative side to plea-bargaining includes (1) overcharging the defendant, (2) forcing an innocent person to confess to a crime that he or she has never committed, (3) allowing confirmed convicts to get their punishment reduced or even get out of jail and (4) forfeiting an individual's Constitutional rights, which is a danger to the society as a whole.
Table of Contents
What is Plea Bargaining?
Authorization and Procedure of Plea Bargaining
Rules Regarding the Breach of Plea Agreement
Why is Plea Bargaining so Pervasive in our Society?
Benefits of Plea Bargaining
Disadvantages of Plea Bargaining
Conclusion
From the Paper "In most cases, judges do authorize a plea bargain if the defendant makes a knowing and voluntary waiver of his or her right to a trial, the defendant understands the charges, the defendant understands the maximum sentence he or she could receive after pleading guilty, and the defendant makes a voluntary confession, in court, to the alleged crime. Even if a defendant agrees to plead guilty, a judge may decline to accept the guilty plea and plea agreement if the charge or charges have no factual basis. It is also highlighted here that the judge does not play any part in the plea bargain discussions between the defendant's attorney and the prosecutor. Moreover, the prosecutors have discretion whether to offer a plea bargain or not. However, a prosecutor should not discriminate in making or accepting an offer of plea bargain based on an unjustifiable standard such as race, religion, or some other arbitrary classification."
This paper analyzes the issue of police brutality while also discussing the role of the media in depicting cases of unwarranted excessive force on the part of law enforcement officers.
Abstract This paper examines the use of excessive police force primarily among minorities. This paper discusses the various reasons excessive force not only occurs but continues to grow at an alarming rate. This paper contains data and statistics relevant to this particular topic. This paper discusses the issue of police brutality from the point of view of law enforcement officers who insist that excessive force is used in less than 1% of contacts with civilians and suspects. This paper also delves into this issue from the point of view of African-Americans who contend that police brutality is significantly higher than the claims made by law enforcement officers. The writer analyzes the systematic biases that are present when debating this controversial topic. This paper discusses the fact that officers are rarely convicted for improper use of violence which indirectly contributes to this growing problem. This paper examines the role of the media in depicting police brutality while also detailing the case of Tyisha Miller, a young black woman killed by police in California.
Table of Contents:
A National Pattern
Systemic Bias
Media Ownership
Works Cited
From the Paper "Many members of various minority groups feel that they are unfairly targeted, especially with regard to the use of excessive force and the differences that white and black residents ascribe to these incidents. In many cases, such as the cases of Wilson and Oregon, the incidents are sparked by non-violent offenses. In addition to fatal shootings, many police officers are also resorting to the use of TASER or stun guns, in situations which were previously resolved without the use of force. Statistics from the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, for example, show a stunning increase in the use of TASERS. In 2000, there were only three reported uses of TASER guns. a mere two years later, that figure jumped to 295."
Abstract This paper looks at the juvenile correctional system and how it works. It examines how and why juveniles get tried as adults. It also looks at the widespread occurrence of mental health problems among those in juvenile correctional facilities. Recommendations are drawn from the literature as to what needs to be done to address the problems in the system.
From the Paper "In recent years there has been a dilemma in the criminal justice system as to whether to treat juvenile offenders as adults and at what age to do this. The first juvenile court, a uniquely American institution, was established in ..."
Abstract This paper considers four articles from www.policeone.com and how the police are portrayed in each as crime fighter, social servant, order maintainer and crime preventer.
From the Paper "On December an inter-agency operation resulted in the arrest of people suspected of distributing illegal drugs in South Carolina. Of those arrested were illegal aliens. The operation included personnel from local ..."
Tags: police, crime fighter, social servant, order maintainer, crime preventer, roles of police in the media
Abstract This paper discusses a case in which a female police officer is being subjected to verbal sexual harassment and identifies law impacting upon department response, particularly the hostile environment interpretation.
From the Paper "At issue herein is the appropriate response on the part of a police department administrator ..."
Tags: sexual harassment, hostile environment, EEOC
Abstract This paper looks at overcriminalization, particularly with regards to laws concerning moral issues which rightly should only concern the people involved and not the law. It looks at both the state and federal systems, and at old statutes that are still on the books, and used in some cases but not others, showing the system to be unjust.
From the Paper "Overcriminalization is destructive to the Criminal Justice System, tying up courts judges police and other law enforcement personnel and draining state and federal budgets. Many laws still exist on the books that are no longer relevant and many ..."
Tags: overcriminalization, morality, federal statutes
Abstract This paper gives an overview of forensic science. The paper studies how forensics is used to identify guns, trace bullets to particular guns, test for toxicology, and determine causes of death. Other topics covered include crime scene investigation, collection of specimens, tire track data and analysis, and footwear analysis from footprints, bloodstains and guns.
Abstract The paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of racial profiling and how it is different from profiling.
From the Paper "In recent years, public debate over the question of whether or not law enforcement officials at all levels in the United States use the practice known as racial profiling in stopping and or identifying suspects has become emotionally charged. According to R. Richard Banks, the view that pervasive irrational racial profiling invariably accounts for the widespread investigation of people of color and ethnic minorities reflects a misreading of empirical studies of law enforcement officers' stop-search practices."
Abstract This is a crime scene investigation paper that examines techniques in use at rape, murder and arson as well as routine crime scene investigations.
From the Paper "Processing a crime scene. Approach the crime scene investigation as if it will be their only opportunity to preserve and recover physical evidence. Ensure a perimeter is established. Perimeter boundaries can be reduced in size if necessary but cannot be as easily expanded. Respond to the scene expeditiously. Ensure restricted entry of non-police personnel as well as police personnel not involved in the investigation of the crime. Vehicles involved in a crime should remain on scene until processed to prevent alteration or destruction of physical evidence."
Tags: rape, murder, arson, crime scene investigations, chain of evidence, chain of custody, preserving, samples, trace evidence, forensics
Abstract This paper evaluates the case of Andrea Yates and whether it meets the standards of the insanity defense under Texas law. The paper theoretically applies the insanity defense to various standards.
From the Paper "Under the current Texas law it is highly unlikely that Andrea Yates would meet the requirements for an insanity plea. The facts of the case show that Andrea Yates was mentally ill during the period of and leading up to her commission of the murders. It was also shown that the mental illness severely impaired her judgment and perceptions of reality. However Yates' state of mind during the commission of the crime still does not fall under the narrow parameters the ..."
Tags: Texas Insanity Defense, Andrea Yates, Mental Illness
A review and discussion regarding four different criminal theories: differential association theory, strain theory, routine activity theory, and a feminist theory.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper examines four critical theories that have been developed in order to study criminal behavior in human societies. Each of the theories discussed in this paper have been chosen from a wide list of options and are part of a separate classification group. The four theories that this paper identifies are differential association theory, strain theory, routine activity theory, and a feminist theory.
From the Paper "Criminology is a wide field devoted to the theoretical study of crime, of its causes, of its relationship to the law, and of its relationship to human communities. In a way, crime affects all human societies at very fundamental levels. That such a powerful force should spawn a critical discipline devoted to its study is not surprising. Once it became an academic discipline it is even less surprising that critics and theorists have been unable to agree upon a theoretical framework that encompasses all aspects of criminology. Instead, criminology has been divided, over the years, into a number of critical theories that sometimes complement one another and other times are at odds with each other."
