Law - Criminal Assignment 2

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How to Succeed on Assignment 2 and Grading Rubric

CRIJ 1301 – Introduction to Criminal Justice

This handout explains how to approach and write Assignment 2 successfully. It does not provide answers to the scenario. Use this guide to understand expectations, structure, and grading standards.

Understand the Purpose of the Assignment

Assignment 2 is designed to test your ability to apply criminal justice concepts to a real-world scenario. This is not a memorization or definition exercise. You are expected to show that you understand:

• how police, courts, courtroom actors, and sentencing decisions work together, and • how discretion and legal standards shape outcomes in the criminal justice system.

How This Essay Is Different from Assignment 1

Assignment 1 focused heavily on identifying and defining legal concepts. Assignment 2 requires you to apply those concepts to facts. This means:

• Do not list definitions. • Do not quote the textbook. • Do not restate the scenario without analysis.

Instead, explain how and why criminal justice principles apply to the situation described.

Follow the Required Structure Exactly

To succeed on this assignment, you must:

• Write five clearly labeled sections (Section 1 through Section 5). • Answer every question listed in each section. • Stay within the required word count for each section (±20 words). • Write in paragraph form only (no bullet points or lists).

Failure to follow the structure may result in point deductions even if your content is accurate.

Using the Textbook and PowerPoints Correctly

Your responses must be based only on:

• the course textbook, and • the course PowerPoints.

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Outside sources are not allowed. Throughout the essay:

• Use criminal justice terms accurately and in context. • Integrate required key terms naturally into your explanation. • Avoid copying textbook language, write in your own words.

Using Required Key Terms

Each section lists “Key terms that MUST appear.”

To earn full credit:

• Every required term must appear in that section. • Terms must be used correctly and meaningfully. • Simply listing the terms without explanation will not earn full credit.

Incorrect or careless use of key terms may result in point deductions.

Citations (Section 5 Only)

Section 5 requires you to identify where your information came from.

You must include:

• at least one citation to the textbook and/or • at least one citation to the course PowerPoints.

Use simple in-text citations only, such as:

• (Textbook, Ch. 7) • (PPT, Ch. 9 – Sentencing Goals)

A reference page is not required.

If Section 5 does not include citations, the maximum score for that section is 5 out of 10 points.

What Strong Essays Do

Strong Assignment 2 essays:

• Apply course concepts directly to the scenario • Explain decision-making at each stage of the process • Use required key terms correctly • Stay focused on the facts provided • Connect policing, courts, courtroom roles, and sentencing logically

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What Weak Essays Do (Avoid These)

Weak essays often:

• List definitions instead of applying them • Repeat facts from the scenario without analysis • Give opinions without textbook support • Ignore required key terms • Miss word-count requirements • Fail to follow the required structure

Academic Integrity Reminder

This assignment must be written entirely in your own words. Submissions that appear copied, overly generic, or not aligned with course material may be reviewed for academic integrity.

Final Tip for Success

If someone unfamiliar with criminal justice could read your essay and clearly understand why decisions were made and how the system works, you are on the right track.

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Assignment 2 – Grading Rubric

CRIJ 1301: Introduction to Criminal Justice Total Points: 50

This rubric explains how your work will be evaluated, not what your answers should be.

Section 1 – Policing & Legal Authority (10 points)

Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4)

Application of Legal Standards

Accurately applies legal concepts to the scenario; shows clear understanding of policing authority

Applies legal concepts with minor errors or limited explanation

Limited application; concepts are unclear or partially incorrect

Concepts missing, incorrect, or not applied

Use of Required Terminology

All required terms used correctly and in context

Most required terms used correctly

Some required terms missing or misused

Required terms largely missing or incorrect

Clarity & Organization

Response is clear, focused, and well- organized

Generally clear with minor organization issues

Difficult to follow in places

Disorganized or unclear

Section 2 – Court Structure & Jurisdiction (10 points)

Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4)

Understanding of Court Structure

Demonstrates clear understanding of court roles and hierarchy

Shows basic understanding with minor inaccuracies

Limited or incomplete understanding

Major misunderstandings or missing content

Application to Scenario

Concepts are clearly connected to the scenario

Some connection to the scenario

Minimal connection to the scenario No meaningful application

Use of Required Terminology

Required terms used accurately and appropriately

Most required terms used correctly

Some required terms missing or incorrect

Required terms missing or incorrect

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Section 3 – Courtroom Work Group (10 points)

Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4) Identification of Roles

Accurately explains multiple courtroom roles

Identifies roles with limited explanation

Roles identified but poorly explained

Roles missing or incorrect

Discussion of Discretion

Clearly explains how discretion affects outcomes

Mentions discretion with limited depth

Minimal discussion of discretion

Discretion not addressed

Use of Required Terminology

Required terms used correctly and clearly

Most required terms used correctly

Some required terms missing or misused

Required terms missing or incorrect

Section 4 – Sentencing Goals & Decisions (10 points)

Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4)

Analysis of Sentencing Concepts

Demonstrates clear understanding of sentencing principles

Shows general understanding with minor gaps

Limited or surface- level analysis Major misunderstandings

Application to Scenario

Clearly connects sentencing concepts to the case

Some connection to the scenario Minimal application No meaningful

application Use of Required Terminology

Required terms used accurately and in context

Most required terms used correctly

Some required terms missing or incorrect

Required terms missing or incorrect

Section 5 – System-Level Reflection & Citation (10 points)

Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4) System-Level Analysis

Thoughtful analysis of fairness and decision-making

General analysis with limited depth

Minimal or unclear analysis

Analysis missing or unsupported

Use of Course Material

Effectively references textbook and/or PowerPoints

References course material with limited integration

Minimal reference to course material

No reference to course material

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Criteria Excellent (9–10) Satisfactory (7–8) Limited (5–6) Inadequate (0–4) Citation Requirement Proper in-text citations included Citations included but unclear

or incomplete Citations attempted but incorrect No citations provided

Writing & Formatting Expectations (Applied Across All Sections)

• Required structure followed • Section headings used as instructed • Word-count requirements met • Paragraph format used • Professional academic tone

Failure to meet formatting or structural requirements may result in point deductions across sections.

Important Reminder to Students

This rubric explains how your work is evaluated, not what conclusions you must reach. Multiple responses may earn full credit if they are well-reasoned, properly structured, and supported by course material.