Abstract In this study on gun control, particularly in the United States, the writer explores both sides of the issue from a political as well as a moral standpoint. The writer works to present fair presentation for both sides and then draws it all together in the conclusion.
From the Paper "As the world moves into the future it takes with it lessons of the past. Gun control is an issue that is not black and white. Those who oppose it do so for many reasons and those who support it claim to do so for the same. Gun control is not a one shot deal either. If gun control is enacted there are many options with which the bill can be written into law and fine-tuned for the individual needs or desires of that state. There will probably come a time in which the United States Supreme Court will have to decide what the constitutional authors meant when they penned the second amendment. Until then it is a stand still with both sides taking aim at the other."
Tags: National, Center, for, Health, Statistics, FBI, Center, to, Prevent, Handgun, Violence, National, Rifle, Association, NRA, Second, Amendment
This paper presents a detailed examination of racial profiling, the act of police officers or other law enforcement officials using race as a factor in deciding whom to stop and search on the street, in the United States.
Abstract The following paper takes the reader on an exploratory journey through the issues that surround racial profiling and discusses the various problems that are encountered. Some of the issues addressed are whether or not racial profiling exists, the problem that most law enforcement departments refuse to undergo a study and that they deny that racial profiling exists and the state of literature regarding this topic at this point is more anecdotal than scientific. In addition the writer contends that the topic is controversial because the United States believes that it has rid itself of prejudice and racism and to open the topic of racial profiling by law enforcement personnel is admitting that its possible the nation is backsliding.Finally, this paper examines how the events of September 11th stepped up the pace of racial profiling by law enforcement and grew to include new groups of people.
From the Paper "Racial profiling is a topic that is seen across the nation in the media. Racial profiling has often been referred to as the phantom occurrence because thus far departments across the nation patently deny its existence. The topic is a growing one in light of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America. Racial profiling has been a top news story since that attack but it was an issue for many years before that.
One of the hardest things to debate in this heated topic is whether or not it exists. There is not a law enforcement agency in the nation that has stepped up to the plate and acknowledged that it does indeed profile using racial criteria. It is something that New York City's finest have been accused of over and over again while the chiefs and mayors adamantly deny the rumors. It is something that News shows spend entire segments trying to prove with the cases that are claimed to have happened because of it(Dotings, 2000)"
Abstract The paper introduces drug testing in the workplace as a controversial issue. There are those who hold the position that it is an invasion of privacy. On the hand there are those who believe that in today's society drug testing is a necessary evil, regardless of the invasion of privacy issue. The paper shows that the goals of employee drug testing include improvements in workplace safety, productivity and product integrity, however, as a decline in the use of drug testing by companies would suggest, drug testing programs did not meet these goals. This research supports the theory that drug testing in the work place does not improve productivity, and that it costs more money than it saves for companies. The author makes use of illustrations and graphs to support his argument.
Table of Contents
The Reliability Issue
Trends in Drug Testing
Does Drug Testing Improve Productivity?
The Costs of Drug Testing
Conclusion and Recommendations
From the Paper "Advocates of drug testing in the work place would have us believe that the benefits far outweigh the costs. They paint a picture that would lead us to believe that America is a country made of substance abusers, who regularly endanger innocent citizens through their impairment caused by substance abuse. It has achieved this through sensationalizing a few accidents that could have been caused due to operator substance abuse. However, the facts do not support this picture, as illustrated by the low number of positive results obtained. Drug testing costs approximately $2000 per employee tested."
Abstract This paper looks at the distinction between natural crimes, also known as mala per se crimes, and legal crimes, also known as mala prohibita crimes. It looks at the FBI crime index and assesses whether these crimes are mala per se or mala prohibita.
From the Paper T"here are two major types of crimes natural crimes and legal crimes which are now referred to as mala per se crimes and mala prohibita crimes respectively. Crime A crime is defined by law as an act ..."
Abstract This essay discusses the history of expansion of the power of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) jurisprudence over the legislation of European Union member states, and examines several explanations for this expansion. The author then considers how this application of ECJ law impresses on the integration of the acquis communitaire into the administration of both the existing member states and the accession states. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the implications that the expanded role of the European Court of Justice may hold for the future of the European Union.
Introduction
Expanding Role of the European Court of Justice
Role of the ECJ in the Integration of EU Policy
into "Sovereign" States & Implications for the Future of
the European Union
Conclusion
From the Paper "Since the 1950's the European Court of Justice's role in European society has grown dramatically. This growth has perhaps been unnoticed by politicians in the various member states of the European Union. Additionally, most political scientists have largely ignored the European Court of Justice.[1] The expansion of the ECJ has reached a point where ECJ jurisprudence is being used by national courts to overrule some laws promulgated by national legislatures![2] Given that no existing treaty within the EU provides this sort of autonomy or authority to the ECJ [3], one would not be silly to question how such a situation has come about."
Tags: community, court, european, union, enlarge, effect, law
Abstract A personal analysis of the importance of capital punishment for the prevention of future murders. The author provides information on capital punishment, its history and public opinion on the subject to support his argument.
From the Paper "When someone has raped and murdered a child, that person has relinquished his right to live. The reason I favor capital punishment is because I have so much regard for human life. Murder is the most terrible crime there is. Anything less than the death penalty is an insult to the victim and society. It says, in effect that we do not value the victim's life enough to punish the killer fully. How many criminals have been let out of prison only to go on killing, raping, and stealing? Why should we allow criminals to harm innocent children, women, and men? No one can deny that the execution of a murderer is a horrible spectacle. But we must not forget that murder is more horrible. The penalty should be exacted only after the guilt is established beyond the shadow of a doubt and only for willful, premeditated murder. But the law of capital punishment must stand, no matter how often a criminal begs for mercy. After all, the victim did not receive mercy. Words are not enough to show that life is sacred. Active justice must be administered when the sacredness of life is violated."
Tags: justice, law, punish, death, crime, kill, moral, society
Abstract This paper talks about how the media portrays violence in children. The author argues that the media claims violence is caused by movies or television and provides evidence why this is not accurate, suggesting other reasons why violence in children has developed over the past century.
From the Paper "One morning a high school student named Kip Kinkle woke up, and chose to shoot his parents in his own home. He then proceeded to school and shot his way through Thurston High School cafeteria. No one believed that such a tragic event could happen more than once. The media portrayed the event in great detail. They outlined the actions of Kinkle, telling his story in almost a heroic fashion and detailing his killing spree. Just one year later, the mass attacks by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado has resulted in attempts to understand the influence the media has on shaping personal views of violence and the implications of copycat crimes."
An argumentative paper about drug sentencing. A paper that argues why mandatory minimum drug sentencing does not work as a tactic in the so-called "war on drugs," with quotes, facts, and stories of the convicted.
890 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 31.95
Abstract A paper that argues why mandatory minimum drug sentencing does not work as a tactic in the so-called "war on drugs," with quotes, facts, and stories of the convicted.
From the Paper "Our judicial system is set up so that one is innocent until proven guilty, and so that the punishment fits the crime. This is part of why many view America as the greatest democracy on earth: our laws and punishments, in comparison to some other countries, seem fair and humane. One would think, then, that a convicted rapist or murderer would spend more time in prison than a first-time drug offender charged with dealing a small amount of marijuana, for example. Naturally, right? Not so fast--today's "mandatory minimum" laws, designed to be harsh on all drug offenders, are putting people behind bars for a long time. Spawned by the United States? ?War on Drugs,? these laws leave judges with little choice when sentencing drug offenders, with mandatory minimum sentences for all drug offenders. These laws target everyone from small-scale pot dealers whose clientele consists only of a few friends, to large-scale heroin gangsters. These laws intend to scare drug offenders with a "no tolerance" policy, which, in theory, is a good idea. However, many are asking the question: is this really the most just and effective way of eradicating our country's drug problem?"
Abstract This is a persuasive research paper that suggests that juveniles should not be tried as adults. The author argues that adult sentencing for juveniles will fail to minimize the increasing number of juvenile criminals and may even inhibit rehabilitation. The author stresses the importance of dealing with these criminals according to their age and to approach the issues that cause them to become involved in crime instead of simply punishing them.
From the Paper "As more and more adolescents are committing heinous crimes that were in the past restricted to adults, the society is demanding that these criminals be put behind bars and tried as adults---not as juveniles as they were in the past. The argument is, if the adolescents commit adult crimes then they must be prepared to be punished like adults as well. This is raising cause for a debate that is not as simple as it seems. In 1996, for every 100,000 teenagers, 465 were arrested for violent crime, compared with 318 arrests per 100,000 adults. And the Justice Department reports that if current trends continue, the number of juveniles arrested for violent crimes will more than double by the year 2010. But the question is whether the threat of adult courts and adult jails will deter the would-be youth criminal. (Rambler, 1997)."
The following research paper examines the abortion debate from 1896 until today, focusing on the anti-abortionists, pro-life activists and the right to have an abortion for personal or health reasons.
Abstract This paper covers the different issues in the abortion debate. It covers both sides- pro-choice and pro-life. Although a conclusion is not made, the closing statement reads similar to the beginning. The issues surrounding abortion seem to be questions that must be answered by each individual searching his or her own heart and soul.
From the Paper "Abortion has been, and probably always will be, a very controversial subject among people of all ages. There are many aspects of the controversy: morality, legality, and safety. Many people ask whether abortion is moral; they question whether it is right or wrong. Others ask whether a woman should be permitted by law to have an abortion and, if so, under what circumstances. There are two sides that directly oppose each other. People who are against abortion label themselves as being ?pro-life." Those who are for women's choice concerning abortion are described as being ?pro-choice." Safety is another area of controversy. Many question the hazards involved with abortion- emotional and physical. With these three issues, the abortion controversy continues."
Abstract It is the argument of this paper that justification for the notification of communities to the presence of sex offenders far outweighs any counter argument. People should most definitely be notified of sex offenders in their neighborhoods. This notification should not only be attempted but should be aggressively pursued to assure total coverage.
From the Paper "To hear on the news of a brutal rape and murder of a small child somewhere across the country is disturbing enough. To hear of such an outrage in your own neighborhood can bring, fear provoking agony. Imagine the reaction of the mother of 7 year old Megan Kanka when she found out that the man who lived across the street and murdered her daughter had two previous convictions as a sex offender. Why hadn"t she been informed" The perpetrator had paid his debt to society and had his right to privacy. But what about Megan's right to life? What about her right to an innocent childhood free of the horrors of sexual molestation? A value judgement must be made on this issue. Protecting the life of an innocent child must be valued more highly than the privacy rights of a convicted felon. People have not only a right to be notified of sexual offenders living in their neighborhoods, but they have a right to demand that officials make an aggressive effort to notify them. The nation as a whole overwhelming seems ready to make this judgement."
Abstract This paper examines the under representation of women in the law enforcement occupations as compared to women in many traditionally male jobs. The paper states that despite laws such as affirmative action, the presence of women is uncommon in higher-ranking offices such as sergeant or commissioner. It describes that women officers are often sexually harassed, receive lower pay in relation to men in their position and are often passed over for advancement for a male even if they are equally or better qualified. The paper offers methods to help reduce disparities if implemented correctly, such as enacting diversity education and training, actively recruiting, retaining and promoting female employees as well as providing a means of support for female officers will result in increased efficiency and employee satisfaction for the department as a whole.
From the Paper "Occupations in law have traditionally been reserved for men. It was considered too dangerous, too risky and too difficult for women, women who did enter law enforcement were often times given desk jobs. Even during the 1960's when women began to enter the job market with a vengeance, women were still persuaded from pursuing law enforcement occupations. Even today, there remains a disproportionate amount of females in such occupations. Additionally, the few women that are in these fields face various obstacles that include discrimination and harassment on the job. The plight of women in law enforcement can be compared to the plight of women in the corporate world, as both face similar obstacles and circumstances."
From the Paper "Drug testing in the workplace has been undertaken by employers who are concerned that drug use by employees poses a danger to coworkers and the public, reduces productivity, costs the company money, and contributes to health problems which adds further to company costs. Drug testing in the workplace conflicts with our view of personal privacy and raises questions about how far employers can go in analyzing personal habits of employees. Workers are concerned that such testing might lead to employees being disciplined or fired, and employers are concerned as well that instituting testing might lead to lawsuits over errors, privacy issues, violation of rights, or unauthorized disclosure of test results. Some feel that the testing itself may not be adequate or accurate, contributing to such problems. The courts have been called in to adjudicate.."
This paper discusses police brutality: The Rodney King incident, excessive force, civilian complaints, statistics, shootings, legal issues and the social impact.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 1991, $ 63.95
From the Paper "Police brutality has long been a topic of concern in American society. The police face a difficult and dangerous job in maintaining law and order on the streets. From time to time, deadly force is necessary in order to carry out that job. Nevertheless, most people agree that the use of deadly force must be controlled. Usually, an officer is expected to practice restraint so that the use of force is appropriate rather than excessive. The problems of excessive force made the national news on March 3, 1991, when a group of Los Angeles police were videotaped while beating a suspect. The suspect, Rodney King, was a black man who had given the police a high-speed chase before finally being stopped. Unbeknownst to the officers, a citizen videotaped the incident from a nearby home. The tape showed some of the officers repeatedly kicking King and beating ... "
Abstract Discusses pros and cons of privitization of prison facilities. Evaluates issues and trends such as cost efficiency, rights of the individual, government monitoring but not operating prisons. Cites supporters of privitization arguments including reduction of cost of incarceration to governments, improved quality of services, better accountability, less bureaucracy. Arguments cited against privitization include potential for abuse of prisoner's rights by private sector, for-profit businesses and that privately run prisons are not as cost effective as claimed. Discusses privitization in several states.
From the Paper "Evaluation of Prison Privatization
Privatization is increasingly at the forefront of every discussion in American life that deals with the cost efficiency of government. At the state, county, and even local levels, the privatization of prison facilities has become a major area for outsourcing opportunity. The privatization of prisons is touted by its supporters as reducing the cost of incarceration to governments. It is also criticized by its opponents as potentially reducing government control over prison system inmates and processes while potentially ushering in an opportunity for the abuse of prisoners? rights at the hands of private sector, for-profit business entities (Metzgar, 1999). It is the purpose of this report to evaluate issues relevant to and trends in prison privatization, highlighting the pros and..."
