Criminal Justice

Discussion instructions

Each discussion must be 250 words.

Each discussion question must have two references.

Outside references are all scholarly (peer reviewed journal article, law review) in APA format.

Question 1

While on patrol, you come across a group of juveniles throwing snowballs at passing cars in the street. Pulling over, you confront the kids and explain to them the dangers of their actions. The juveniles, in turn, are apologetic and promise to never do it again.

Remembering your youth, you decide to use your discretion and let them off with a warning. A few minutes after you leave, however, this same group of juveniles continues to throw snowballs at passing cars, but this time one of the drivers is startled, veers off the road and runs into a group of young children building a snowman in their front yard.

Focus on the following points:

Were you wrong to let the juveniles off with a warning?

According to deontological theory, were you wrong?

Does it really matter if you give kids a juvenile record as long as doing so possibly prevents them from hurting others?

Question 2

(Due Process): Explain how the principles of due process, the ban on cruel and unusual punishment and other current feature of the U.S. criminal justice system are consistent with Kant’s theory.