for rey writer only

.  Think about your answer, organize your thoughts, make an outline (attach to submission), then write your response.

Make sure that you reference or cite your sources properly in APA format.  Submit your complete assignment in a single file with a title page, outline, abstract, essay, and works cited page.  You are strongly encouraged to use the AARC Writing Center for assistance with this paper.

 Although I realize that some of you were misled by the title of the course being Incident Report Writing in Criminal Justice, I must reiterate that it is imperative that you learn to write well as a student before you can expect to write well as a professional.  That is the reason that so much emphasis was placed upon academic writing for Criminal Justice.  Accordingly, the final exam will test your skills in writing, research, and critical thinking.  Pay attention to the instructions and make sure to address each component of the assignment!  

The answer should be a MINIMUM of five double-spaced pages (excluding title page, outline, abstract, and works cited page), written in Times New Roman 12-point font.  (Failure to follow all directions will result in a severe loss of points—up to receiving a grade of zero, so read, read, read the instructions!)

The assignment:

In a recent case in Chambers County (near Houston), a 14 year-old middle school student is suspected to have murdered his grandparents as they slept.  You can read one of the reports here:   http://abc13.com/news/14-year-old-grandson-charged-with-capital-murder/1562651/ .  You may also Google for more reports.

According to the news reports, the boy is autistic.  Your inquiry for this assignment is prompted by the question: "Should being autistic provide an affirmative defense to an individual accused of committing a violent (or any) crime?"

First, locate at least five academic (not news or magazine) articles that address autism and culpability.  (If you do not understand these terms, do some research.)  List those five sources in APA format.

Next, complete an annotated bibliography (approximately three pages) on those articles.  Remember that the annotated bibliography should have an introduction to the topic and a conclusion based upon the articles.  Use the "Blowing Smoke" checklist (under Readings on the homepage) as a guide to writing the annotated bibliography (excluding question #5).

Finally, after reviewing your articles, researching the newsstories, and considering the question, write an essay (reaction paper style) in which you defend either 1) your belief that autism should be an affirmative defense in this case or 2) your belief that autism should not be an affirmative defense in this case.  Remember that the total "substantive" section of the assignment should be at least five pages.