Abstract
"This study will examine the media coverage of the 1992 riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of the police officers charged with beating Rodney King. The thesis of the study will be that the media was biased in its coverage of the riots, and that that bias was based on racial stereotyping.

From the Paper
"This study will examine the media coverage of the 1992 riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of the police officers charged with beating Rodney King. The thesis of the study will be that the media was biased in its coverage of the riots, and that that bias was based on racial stereotyping.

The sources consulted for this study indicate clearly that there was substantial bias in the coverage of the rioting. That bias involved reporters' assignments, the power over who wrote the words of the stories filed, the description of the rioting and its participants, and, most importantly, an almost total absence of meaningful analysis of the deeper socioeconomic issues which gave rise to the rioting.

Ishmael Reed, in Airing Dirty Laundry, posits the theory that the media is rife with subtle and not-so-subtle racial bias ..."

Abstract
This paper discusses Lizzie Borden's trial for the murders of her father and stepmother and explains that this was a situation that had never before been seen in any previous American murder case. This was the case of a privileged, upper-class woman who had allegedly murdered her parents in cold blood. This paper will describe the facts of the case, then analyze some of those facts and ultimately draw a conclusion as to why Lizzie Borden was eventually acquitted of the brutal murder of her father and stepmother.

From the Paper
"Lizzie Borden's trial for the murders of her father and stepmother was a situation that had never before been seen in any previous American murder case. This was the case of a privileged, upper-class woman who had allegedly murdered her parents in cold blood. This paper will describe the facts of the case, then analyze some of those facts and ultimately draw a conclusion as to why Lizzie Borden was eventually acquitted of the brutal murder of her father and stepmother. Facts of the Case On August 4, 1892, the couple of Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered by in Fall River, Massachusetts. The cause of death for both of them was bludgeoning by an axe. There were no signs of disturbance in the house -- other than the two bodies. Lizzie Borden, who was thirty-two, was Andrew Borden's youngest daughter."

Tags:lizzie, borden, murders

Abstract
This paper will discuss the article "Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of Compulsion" by Clarence Darrow. This paper will argue for Darrow's perspective on the Loeb case, in that he believes that genetic and environmental cause are the real reasons for Loeb to not get the death penalty for the kidnapping and murder of Bobby Franks. By combining both of these principles into this argument, we can see why the death penalty is an unjust punishment for this case.

Abstract
This paper looks at the setting and political backdrop behind the 1886 arrest of French Jewish military officer Alfred Dreyfus for passing on documents to the German army. It examines how he was was arrested, not allowed to have contact with anyone outside the prison, pressured into a false confession, court-martialed behind closed doors, and convicted. It looks at the attempts to prove him innocent, including those of prominent journalist Emil Zola, and how he was eventually acquitted and returned from Devil's Island in 1896.

From the Paper
"Still determined to protect their reputation instead of promoting the truth, the military charged Zola with the very serious French crime of "slandering the military." (Editor, 1998) Zola was found guilty, and he was sentenced to a year in jail (Staff writers, 2004). He managed to escape to England and thus avoid going to jail, and continued his campaign from there to free Dreyfus (Editor, 1998). As the efforts of the military cover-up became more and more obvious, intellectuals around the world spoke out for Zola, who had previously criticized the French press for their anti-Semitism (Editor, 1998). At this point the Dreyfus affair had become completely politicized with Royalists, military and nationalist factions all taking one stand, with Republicans, socialists and anti-clerical groups on the other side (Staff writers, 2004)."

Tags:emile, zola, jew, anti, semitism

Abstract
This paper looks at and analyzes the pros and cons of race based jury nullification and comes out against it. It further describes race based jury nullification as when there is sufficient evidence that the defendant is guilty but the jury votes for acquittal anyway based entirely on the defendant's race.

From the Paper
"Jury nullification is when the jury refuses to deliver a verdict according to the law regardless of the evidence presented against the defendant and finds them innocent. Instead it bases its verdict on other grounds. In recent years courts have seemed to favor jury nullification less. The Fourth Circuit decision US v Moylan affirmed the right of jury nullification but also the power of the court to refuse to permit an instruction to the jury regarding this right."

Tags:jury nullification, race, evidence, defendant, acquittal

Abstract
The paper considers the circumstances and implications of the sensational and bizarre case of O.J. Simpson, notably associated to the 1995 Los Angeles double-murder trial that ended in his acquittal and the subsequent civil suit which found him guilty of the two deaths. The paper examines the forensic psychologist's angle and how it clearly demonstrated Simpson's probable guilt, although the evidence was not used to build the case that Simpson was a man with both psychological dysfunctions and a history of criminal violence, and the result would be the widely rebuked acquittal. The paper points out how forensic psychology addressed the sentiments expressed in his 'suicide note,' his posture in public and his continued transgression of the law that would show him to be a man with a serious psychological incapacity to behave either in a normal social context or to control his violent tendencies and criminal impulses.

From the Paper
"As an evolving field, the administration of criminal justice must increasingly take into consideration the context in which it conducts its roles as determinant of penalty, justice and mercy. Social, cultural, political and psychological aspects of the human condition are receiving more appreciation in our ability to identify, prosecute and treat criminal behavior. However, law enforcement agencies themselves are often not equipped with the professional and academic resources to ensure that such matters are given their proper acknowledgement and accurate application. For this reason, the field of forensic psychology is coming to be a more widely accepted aspect of contending with the social ill of criminal activity. Forensic psychology brings together the two highly nuanced professional fields of psychology and criminology in order to better understand the relationship that the two share. In a general sense, the purpose of work within this field is to further "the development and application of psychological principles to the problems and administration of legal, judicial, correctional, and law enforcement systems" (O'Connor, 1) In a more specific sense, this means that an individual with expertise in the field of psychology may serve an indispensable role in informing the law enforcement, judicial and penal processes with the categorical relevance of human mental illness, or the human mental and emotional condition in general."

Tags:dysfunction, violence, mental, illness, homicide

Abstract
This paper explains that problems, such as false reporting and accusations, cultural misunderstandings, racial bias, unnecessary harsh sentences and overall judicial inconsistencies, exist in the child abuse reporting system. The author points out that the large percentage of inappropriate reporting also places an unnecessary burden on the already overwhelmed child protective agencies and threatens to undermine public support for their efforts. The paper suggests that, with time and experience, it will be possible to standardize the approach toward sentencing so individuals will receive accurate judgments of incarceration, probation, education or acquittal based on the true circumstances. This paper includes several long quotations.

Outline:
Introduction Definition of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Spanking versus Serious Physical Abuse
Study by Baumrind: Most Parents Spank without Ill Impact on Children
Statistical Reporting of Child Abuse Numbers
Numbers of Reporting Increased 20 Times
Large number of "Unfounded" Reports
Inappropriate Reporting Places Unnecessary Burden on Child Protective Agencies
Better Reporting on What to/Not to Report
Disagreement of Over/Under-Reporting of Child Abuse Claims
Investigative/Tool Inconsistencies
Racial/Cultural Misrepresentations
American Psychology Association Recommendations
Learn about the Culture
Examine Discrepancies between Accepted Cultural Practices and the Behavior
Look at the Continuum of Cultural Behaviors, Determining Relationship Socioeconomic Issues such as Poverty and Substance Abuse
Is Alleged Abusive Behavior is Truly Harmful to others?
Person's Level of Acculturation to U.S. Culture
Reporting Bias
Suggested Actions
Narrow the Scope of Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions.
Place the Investigatory Powers with the Police
Re-Criminalize Child Abuse and Neglect.
Repeal Mandatory Reporting Laws Effect in all the States.
Make Child and Family Services Voluntary

From the Paper
"As with any law that is passed, it is necessary to clearly define terms so that certain persons or groups of persons are not being treated differently in terms of that law and the punishment fits the crime. In cases of child abuse, there are numerous cases, especially with severe physical, psychological or sexual violations, where an individual should receive a strict penalty. However, there are also a large number of others cases where the abuse is minimal, questionable (spanking, for example), cultural, or even misinformed. In these latter situations, it may be better to find alternate ways to help these individuals and the victims."

Tags:spanking, agencies, misunderstandings, bias, police

Abstract
This paper discusses the events that led to the Chicago conspiracy trial of the Chicago Seven; its outcome, and its fairness. It looks at the 1968 protest at the Democratic National Convention and the acquittal of the defendants on conspiracy charges, as well as the conviction of some on lesser charges. The paper examines the courtroom behavior of the judge and the courtroom as a "street theatre."

From the Paper
"There are few years in recent American history more generally turbulent tense and filled with public protests than the year inw hich President Lyndon B Johnson announced that he would not seek or accept a second term as president and ..."

Tags:Chicago Seven, 1968 Democratic Convention, Days of Rage

Abstract
This paper debates how the insanity plea and its use to obtain verdicts of acquittal for murderers is insane insofar as it allows criminals to escape punishment, reenter society, and possibly kill again.

From the Paper
"While the chance for murderers to plea insanity if they really are mentally imbalanced appears fair, it is not. This appeal has been used to get many cold hearted murderers acquitted and go free. In being free they have the opportunity to kill again. In this way, the law is saying that the insane can murder without having to pay a price for their action. Allen Brownfield, an editor of the Human Events magazine and a well known author, makes this issue very clear in "Defense Attorneys Mad about Insanity Defense." As Brownfield says, "The growing use of the insanity defense is part of a larger trend in society to eliminate personal responsibility for one's actions." The case of the Menendez brothers proves this."

Tags:murderers, mental, illness

Abstract
Examines the accusation against Flipper of embezzlement of Army funds and conduct unbecoming an officer, his ultimate acquittal of embezzlement charge, and his dishonorable discharge from the Army in 1882.

From the Paper
"This research paper discusses the court martial of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper (Flipper) (1856-1940). Flipper, the first African-American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and one ..."