Assignment 2: Trials and Verdicts

Assignment 2: Trials and Verdicts

Due Week 8 and worth 220 points

Use the Internet to research three (3) real-life cases from the past two (2) years that fall under the 

following topics:

 Cases that depict the unique processes related to different courts 

 The defendant accepted a plea bargain as an alternative to trial

 The defendant was wrongly accused and later vindicated

Write 4 page paper in which you:

1. Summarize one (1) real-life criminal case that depicts the unique processes related to different 

courts, and identify the court that took jurisdiction. 

2. Describe one (1) real-life case in which the defendant accepted a plea bargain as an alternative 

to trial. Give your opinion on whether or not justice was served in the case in question. Provide a 

rationale for the response.

3. Describe one (1) real-life death-penalty case in which the defendant was wrongly accused and 

later vindicated. Present an argument for or against the death penalty. Support your position with 

the case you have chosen or with a real-life case relevant to your position.

4. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites 

do not qualify as quality resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

 Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all 

sides; citations and references must follow APA 6th Edition writing style 

o Review the Basics of APA Style Tutorial, located at

http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/. 

o Review a sample paper written in APA 6th Edition formatting at 

http://supp.apa.org/style/PM6E-Corrected-Sample-Papers.pdf and 

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf. 

o Consult your professor for any additional instructions.

 Include the following in your paper:

o APA Title Page: Includes the title of the paper, student name, instructor name, course 

number and name, university name, and date of submission. The Title and Reference 

pages are not included in the required assignment page length. The following video 

shows how to write an APA Title Page: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8CW6wzNYeA. 

o Introduction and Thesis Statement: Grab the attention of the audience of readers. It 

should define the topics of discussion and articulate the problem that will be discussed in 

the thesis statement. The thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introductory 

paragraph. The thesis statement formula is as follows: the topic + your opinions / 

arguments = thesis statement. The following video shows how to write an introduction 

and thesis statement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qRFhg1aj9k. 

 Hint: Write the body of the paper first, an introduction next, and then a thesis 

statement. 

o Body of the Paper: Respond to the assignment criteria above.

 Hint: Create a thesis statement and headings (review the Basics of APA Style 

Tutorial) for each assignment question.CRJ 100 – Assignments and Rubrics

© 2014 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information 

and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of 

Strayer University.

CRJ 100 Student Version Pilot 1146 (1304 6-18-2014) Final Page 13 of 19

1. The following video will show you how to write the body of the paper: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRH7LrgsdIk.

2. Block Quote: Forty (40) quoted words or more require a block quote 

(APA Rule): The following video will show you how to create an APA 

block quote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSr2budZuFk. However, 

students should use block quotes sparingly in a paper, and any quote or 

paraphrase (in-text citation) should equate to one (1) sentence that 

supports opinions or arguments within the paper only. 

o Conclusion: Restates the thesis statement in slightly different wording as the first 

sentence. Summarize what you learned from the questions within the assignment so the 

audience of readers are reminded and understand what the research has revealed. The 

following video will show you how to write a conclusion: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7-4eC1LhGo. 

o APA Reference Page: References in APA 6th Edition formatting should be written in 

Times New Roman 12 point, in alphabetical order, double-spaced, subsequent lines 

indented, title / journals italicized appropriately, etc. This video will show you how to write 

an APA Reference Page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX_y8xLEKZE.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 Summarize the current ethical issues faced by criminal justice professionals and future of the 

criminal justice system.

 Explain the development of American courts and illustrate the concept of the dual-court system.

 Distinguish between the various courtroom participants and describe the stages in a criminal trial.

 Use technology and information resources to research issues in criminal justice.

 Write clearly and concisely about criminal justice using proper writing mechanics and APA style 

conventions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WRITE MINUMUM 4 SENTENCES FOR EACH PARAPGRAPH. PROVIDE ORGINAL WORK. WRITE THEM ON YOUR OWN WORDS.  GONNA USE TURNITIN TO CHECK PLAGARISIM. TYPE EACH QUESTION BEFORE ANSWER THEM.