M4 - Assignment 1: Sentencing Options

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration

The Criminal Justice System: Overview

Module1_Introduction

Welcome Rookies! Are you ready to learn about your case? Well, in general, the criminal justice process starts when a citizen (victim or witness) calls the police to report a crime. Our case begins when the police are called to perform a welfare check.

You will see a set of shields in the next screen. Click each shield to learn more about the case, the victim, the suspect and reporting methods used. Click NEXT to begin.

Objectives

• Discuss crime control and due process perspectives.

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 1

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

• Analyze the steps taken in a case from crime through corrections.

• Compare/Contrast the different reporting methods.

Module1_Home

The Crime

Case Notes:

First received a well-check request from victim’s neighbors. Upon arriving on- scene, it was determined that the victim may be injured. Exigent circumstances were necessary to enter the residence without a warrant. Fearing the victim was injured created that circumstance. After discovering the deceased victim, a warrant was issued and investigation began in order to determine the cause of death.

Crime Scene Photo

Male victim, age 30, found deceased in his apartment from apparent drug overdose.

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 2

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

Suspect Photo

Teresa, 26, is charged with five counts of distribution of heroin, five counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, conspiracy and child abuse.

The road to trial

Our investigation determined probable cause to arrest a suspect. Teresa was arrested and charged with a crime. She was booked into jail. She made her first appearance before a judge where he read the charges against her and decided on bail. The next step in the process was a preliminary hearing in which the judge determined whether there was probable cause to bind her over to trial. At this point, Teresa has entered a plea and because she pled not guilty, she will go to trial. If she is found guilty (beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal case), she will be sentenced by the judge.

The Suspect

Female Suspect

Teresa is a heroin user who is well known by both the community and police. To support her habit, she became involved in theft, robbery and dealing drugs. Teresa arrived at the victim’s apartment at 1:00 pm to sell heroin. After selling the heroin to the victim, she stayed in his apartment while he used it. When he stopped breathing, she ran from the apartment instead of calling 911.

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 3

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

The Victim

Male Victim

Jamie lived in a one bedroom apartment paid for with disability due to PTSD and brain trauma from serving overseas. Jamie graduated to heroin after his doctor reduced his pain medication prescription. On the day he died, he had bought heroin from the suspect and used it while she was still in his apartment. She ran when she noticed he wasn’t breathing. Jamie was found dead after neighbors called police. His parents were devastated and advocated that the suspect be

Crime Data Reporting Methods

UCR:

The most-cited and well-known official source of data is the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. This data is collected by the FBI from local law enforcement agencies. One of the flaws of the UCR is that it only collects

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 4

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

data on the most serious crimes even if smaller crimes occurred within the more serious crime. For example, in our scenario, the UCR would only collect data on the murder and would not collect information on the lesser crimes such as the drug offenses.

NIBRS:

The National Incident Based Reporting System corrects the shortcomings of the UCR by collecting information on all criminal activities that occurr, not just the most serious. One of the shortcomings is that the UCR relies upon police departments to report accurately, but a crime in one state may not be a crime in another state due to various state statutes. For example, marijuana use is legal in Colorado so this data would not be reported in the UCR. Drug crimes are often underreported because the victim of the crime rarely wants to bring to attention the primary source of the offense.

NVCS:

The National Crime Victim Survey asks citizens directly about their victimization experiences, including characteristics of the perpetrator, the crime and the incident. This survey includes information on six crimes: rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. This survey is seen as being more accurate in that people might be more likely to report crime that they might not want to report to police. If someone was victimized in a drug case, they might be more likely to report the crime in the National Crime Victim Survey. One limitation of the survey is that it does not record data for victims under 12.

SRM:

Self-Reporting Surveys ask people if they have committed crimes. This data is often flawed due to a reluctantly to share this information, especially in circumstances where drug use is involved.

Knowledge Check

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 5

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

Now, let’s check your crime data reporting methods knowledge. Click NEXT to begin.

Question 1

Which data reporting method includes information on six types of crime: rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft?

Correct Choice

nibrs

X ncvs

srm

ucr

Question 2

Which data reporting method often has flawed data due to a reluctance to share information, especially in circumstances where drug use is involved?

Correct Choice

nibrs 1

ncvs 1

X srm 1

ucr 1

Question 3

Which data reporting method only collects data on the most serious crimes and not the smaller crimes which may occur within the more serious crime?

Correct Choice

nibrs 1

ncvs 1

srm 1

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 6

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

X ucr 1

Question 4

Which data reporting method collects information on all criminal activities that occur, not just the most serious?

Correct Choice

X nibrs 1

ncvs 1

srm 1

ucr 1

Conclusion

You’re Done!

You’ve reached the end of this exploration. You can review the information by clicking BACK, or click NEXT to exit.

This exploration introduced you to an actual crime and related the criminal justice process to that crime. Keep this information in mind as you work through the module and remember that criminal justice professionals work with a lot of legal information to do their jobs. Use the CRJ Resources link as much as you can throughout this course.

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 7

CRJ110 Module 1 Exploration Transcript

CCCOnline ccco.desire2learn.com 8