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Specialty Courts Assignment

Specialty courts (sometimes called problem solving courts) function in certain jurisdictions to help alleviate the criminal and civil courts caseloads by focusing intensely on one type of issue. Examples of specialty courts include: Juvenile, drug/substance abuse, teen, veterans, family, domestic violence courts, etc. Before completing this assignment:

1. Read the ‘Overview of Specialty Courts’ article (posted on D2L). 2. Read the section in your class text on problem-solving courts (pg. 112-119). 3. Decide which TYPE of specialty court you would like to focus on for your report

(examples included in the lecture, article, and below). Here’s a few helpful links as well: http://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/Pages/welcome.aspx https://www.oregon.gov/cjc/specialtycourts/Pages/SpecialtyCourtsMap.aspx

In writing your paper, you may use the material we read in class and course lectures. In addition, you should find at least 1 outside, additional article from an academic journal to help support your paper. Note: Academic journals articles are not newspaper or blog articles. I am happy to help you find articles. Information regarding how to find academic articles is included at the bottom of this document (I recommend using the library’s website). For this assignment, please submit a report that considers the following questions (and more if you find something relevant). Part A) Explain the role of specialty courts

• Explain the history of specialty courts. • Why do these courts function? • What are the advantages and disadvantages of specialty courts?

*This section can be specific to the type of specialty court your chose, or broad in discussing specialty courts in general. Part B) Analysis of the TYPE of specialty court (e.g., drug, veterans, etc.)

• What are the goals of this court? • Why is it important to look at this population or issue separately? • Explain how this court typically functions. • Explain the history of this court system. • Is there an eligibility criterion for this court? If so, what is it? • Has this type of court been evaluated, if so, what are the conclusions?

Note: Use your outside, academic article to help you address these questions. I do not expect that you will have answers to all of these questions, but be thorough in your analysis.

Part C) What did you learn? Think of this section as a self-reflection. In this section include a thorough, and thoughtful, analysis of what you learned in completing this assignment. About specialty courts? What do you think specialty courts contribute to the overall legal system? In addition, what do you still have questions about? Make sure to write in a professional tone. Grading rubric for the paper: Explain the role of specialty courts 7.5 points Analysis of the TYPE of specialty court 7.5 points What did you learn? 7.5 points Grammar, punctuation, organization, citations (in text and reference list) 7.5 points Total = 30 This assignment is to be submitted ONLINE to the corresponding assignment folder (under Activities tab). See the syllabus for my late policy. Pay careful attention to spelling, sentence construction, and punctuation. For full credit, this paper MUST be typed, double-spaced, between 2 and 3 pages in length, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. Please know: The university uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. In this particular class, your assignments will be run through Turnitin to detect for any possible plagiarism from other sources. Finding Academic Articles: PSU’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Reference Page: http://guides.library.pdx.edu/ccj Citations:

All information that is not your own must be cited; quotes, summaries, and paraphrasing should be used effectively (see this website for help; https://www.pdx.edu/writing-center/guided-tour- step-one-understanding-an-assignment). The majority of your assignment should be written using your own thoughts, words, reactions, and writing (i.e. not direct quotes from resources). The Purdue Owl website is a helpful tool when considering how to cite information that is not your own (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/). You can also find information on citing sources at the PSU library website (http://library.pdx.edu/research/citing-sources/). Information on how to cite legal cases can be found here (http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/10/citing-court-decisions-in-apa-style.html).