Premium Essay

Criminal Justice and Courtroom Process

In:

Submitted By babyblu0112
Words 1217
Pages 5
Criminal Justice and Courtroom Process. CJA491 December 17th 2012 Criminal justice and courtroom process. This case happen in June, 1994 There were two brutal murders that occurred. The husband was notified of his wife’s death. The husband returns home from a business trip only to be handcuffed as a suspect in the murder of his wife. The husband is assigned council, and while in custody the husband eludes his council. Later found arrested and accused of murder. The husband is accused before a grand jury. Then after a six day preliminary hearing ends, sufficient evidence including blood, hair, and bloody shoe prints were proof found significant enough for him to stand trial with two counts of first degree murder. The husband pleads not guilty before the judge in trial. The district attorney files motion to sequester jury, which means the district attorney motioned for the jury to be isolated. The district attorney proclaims the desire for the death penalty. The judge approves a search warrant is obtained to search the home of the husband and his deceased wife. A month later a jury is selected with an over populated amount of same race as defendant. A month later an alternative jury selected. In January of the following year the defense waives hearing for the challenge of the prosecution’s DNA evidence. The jury is once again secluded, and the hearing for domestic abuse is held, bringing forward evidence that proved there was domestic abuse that previously occurred. At the end of January, the trial begins; the prosecutors and defense attorney deliver their opening statements. In February, the victim’s sister takes the stand and testifies that the husband abused her sister. Not normally are jurors able to visit crime scenes but in this case they were able to see firsthand and see

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Business Admin

...University of Phoenix Material Courtroom Participants’ Professional Standards Research the Internet and locate at least one real-life example of each of the following: • Prosecutorial misconduct • Ineffective assistance by criminal defense counsel • Judicial misconduct Select and complete one of the following assignments: Option 1: Paper Option 2: Presentation Option 3: News Article Option 1: Paper Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you summarize each example and address the following questions: • What did the prosecutor do wrong? How does immunity protect the prosecutor from the consequences of his or her misconduct? • What did the criminal defense attorney do wrong? What is the Strickland v. Washington standard? Refer to Ch. 10 of Courts and Criminal Justice in America. How do the performance prong and the prejudice prong of the Strickland standard apply to the example? • What did the judge do wrong? Which judicial selection option—either appointment, election, or merit—would help to reduce instances of judicial misconduct? • How does the misconduct or ineffectiveness of these courtroom participants reflect or thwart the crime control model of criminal justice? How does the misconduct or ineffectiveness of these courtroom participants reflect or thwart the due process model of criminal justice? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Option 2: Presentation Create a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft®...

Words: 565 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Courtroom Work Group

...Courtroom Work Group There are many parts of the courtroom and the process of convicting a criminal. The courtroom work group has a major role in convicting and finalizing a case. In the courtroom work group, there are three groups of people that hold the entire courtroom together. Without the work group, the courtroom would not flow, and coming to a conclusion to the case would not be as easy. The work group is made up of the Judge, the Defense Counsel and the Prosecution. They work together to reach a result, in the case by staying in contact on a daily basis. There are many roles in the work group, and if they are not all followed through with then the results could be different than what they should be. In this paper, we will look at the roles of the prosecutor, how the criminal justice funnel effects the courtroom work group and what will help eliminate the funnel and reduce the backlog of cases. The Work Group The courtroom work group is composed of various people who make the court systems work to the best of their ability. Each person has its position, and she/he is responsible for their part. We can start from the top, first we have a Judge, he/she is responsible for imposing the proper judging techniques in the courtroom, and they are to make sure the accused rights are not violated in the courtroom. Then we have a defense attorney, and the defense attorney is to defend his client against any wrongdoing by the court and prove his client is innocent of the charges...

Words: 1423 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Courtroom Participation Paper

...Courtroom Participation Paper Courtroom Participation One of the core components to the criminal justice system is the judicial system. The judicial system consists of participants who have specialized roles that are associated with the courtroom. There are 10 basic roles that the participants play which include; judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, bailiff, court reporter, clerk of the court, witness, jury, defendant, and spectators. The judge has the ultimate authority in the courtroom, and is used to protect both the rights of the accused, and the best interest of the public. Courtroom participation is an important aspect, and is necessary in helping to secure the rights which are protected under the United States Constitution. The courtroom work group works together, and is guided by ethical considerations, and statuatory requirements that are bound by law (Siegel, Schmalleger & Worrall, Chapter 7, 2011). There are professional, and nonprofessional participants that help to make sure that everyone is guarenteed a fair, and just trial. This paper discusses the important roles that each particpant plays in the judicial system. Each member of the courtroom has duties, and responsibilities that help in the procedures that are established in court proceedings. Courtroom Participants And Their Roles The courtroom arena is equipped with different players who make up the core of the court system each player posses a different skill...

Words: 1401 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Cjs 220

...|[pic] |Syllabus | | |College of Criminal Justice SSecurity Security | | |CJS/220 Version 4 | | |The Court System | Copyright © 2011, 2009, 2007 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course is an introduction and overview of the legal system, the participants, the courtroom process, and post-conviction process of the court system. It demonstrates the connections among participants and how they relate to each other. Additionally, the course covers the history of the court system and the different types of court at the state and federal levels. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the...

Words: 2497 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Criminal Justice Judge Role

...Abstract In this research paper I will be speaking on the role that a judge plays in the criminal justice system. I will speak on how the judge interprets the laws, asses the evidence presented in the courtroom, and they have the control on how hearings and trials unfold in their courtrooms. But the most important thing judges do is that they make sure there is no bias decision in the pursuit to justice. I used different articles to go into more depth about some of the things I described a judge does in the criminal justice system. In order to become a judge you have to be a lawyer first or as said in an article I read, “judges are born.” In America we have 2.3 Americans who have been incarcerated and are sitting in a prison cell...

Words: 670 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jury Nullification

...Unfair and Damaging Practices in the Courtroom: Ethnicity Based Jury Nullification Josi Barth CJA/344 November 18, 2014 Bernice Baver Unfair Practices in the Courtroom: Ethnicity Based Jury Nullification On the television today, many of the most dramatic parts of the programming revolve around courtroom proceedings. An overzealous prosecutor asking tough and often damning questions to a pitiful guilty looking defendant is the main focus for the audience. The part that is often unseen and overlooked is ethnicity and the role it plays in the criminal justice system when it comes to courtroom proceedings and judicial practices. When it comes to these situations, there appears to be a certain amount of bias or indifference to minority citizens (The Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective of Northern Arizona University, 2009). Because of these biases, many minorities have little to no confidence in the court systems and subsequently are less likely to bring his or her case to court. For a further look into how ethnicity influences courtroom proceedings and judicial practices, one can analyze arguments for and against ethnicity based jury nullification and contemporary examples of jury nullification. Jury nullification is defined as the process that allows juries to acquit when the facts of the case suggest a conviction. This allows citizens to play a larger role in deciding guilt and who is punished (Mcnamara & Burns, 2009, Chapter 11). Ethnicity based...

Words: 1079 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Courtroom Participation Paper

...Courtroom Participation CJA/224 November 3, 2010 Abstract Going through the criminal justice system could be a slow and painful process. To help expedite the process of the overwhelming number of cases that must pass through the system, an ensured relationship is formed in courtrooms between the main participants in the system (the judge, prosecutor, and defense lawyer). Other participants in the courtroom are the bailiff of the court, the clerk of the court, and the court reporter and thier roles are important also Additional participants include the victim, defendant, witnesses, and (depending on the case) a jury. Courtroom Participation Paper The United States have what is known as an adversarial legal system of justice, which is legal cases are contests between two opposing sides fully and forcefully presenting evidence and legal arguments. Almost all civil cases and a majority of criminal cases are heard by a judge exclusive of a jury. The judge is obligated to provide free and unbiased judgment of the facts and how the law applies to those facts. In all criminal cases if the defendant is found guilty of a crime, he is then sentenced by the judge. Depending on the severity of the crime the judge may impose a term of imprisonment or he may order the defendant to pay a fine. If a defendant who is convicted of a crime and faces five years or more he has the right under due process to request a jury trial. A jury is a group of citizens, which hears...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Defining Crime

...Defining Criminal Justice The six television shows that depict the law enforcement, corrections, and courts components of the criminal justice system are Matlock, Law and Order, Serpico, A Few Good Men, Kojak, and Canterbury’s Law. Matlock is a television show that has legal drama, and Andy Griffith has a main role as a criminal defense attorney. Matlock will gather evidence to identify the perpetrators to confront them in the courtroom with interrogation in the court room scenes. Also, he seeks to prove the innocence of his clients as he takes on their case which is murder most of the time (William Felchner, n.d). However, Matlock is assisted with a team of other lawyers. The show depicts the criminal courts component, because Matlock conducts a fair and impartial trial. This criminal defense attorney upholds the law in bringing the perpetrator to the courtroom in front of a judge who will decide if he/she is guilty or innocent. The stages of the criminal justice system of Matlock are all three components of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Matlock apprehends the perpetrator, requires that fairness is throughout the justice process, and ensure the victim that the courts will protect the community as well as the victim by sentencing him/her to prison if found guilty. Therefore, the images of the Matlock television show that has legal drama are fair representations of the criminal justice system. Law and Order television show has a cast that is cops and lawyers, and...

Words: 1266 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Courtroom Work Group

...What is a courtroom work group? How does this courtroom work group interact on a daily basis? What changes to the courtroom work group would you recommend? What is the role of the prosecutor? How does a prosecutor determine which cases to pursue? What would happen if the criteria for taking a case were more or less stringent? What are the effects of the criminal justice funnel and the backlog of cases on the court system and the courtroom work group? What are some solutions to help eliminate the funnel and reduce the backlog of cases? Provide examples One of the effects of the Criminal Justice Funnel System and back log of the cases is that the systems interferes with protection of the dependents rights and causes a longer wait time for the individuals verdict on their case, which cause the dependents to remain a suspect for a longer period of time. The prolonged process generates and continuously adds to the back logs of cases. Which interferes with an effective operating structure in the court system. While the Funnel system decreases the number of incarcerations and court trials which cases money and manpower. The backlogs of cases and delay at the court process also inhibits the Justice System process by helping theses offenders to get away with their cases. While there is a decrease number of incarcerations, more offenders are being put on probation and are only face with a direct punishment once they either commit an additional crime or violate their current probation...

Words: 362 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Courtroom Participants

...Courtroom Participants Team B: Sheena McCall, Idalia Gill, Neil Gabe, Billie Adams, and Dannielle Rea CJA/224 October 31, 2011 Austin Dunham Weidner Courtroom Participants In a United States courtroom, there are many participants who contribute to the goal of justice for all. The judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, defendant, victims, witnesses, jurors, bailiff, and court reporter are each participants in the courtroom workgroup. Although every participant plays a different role in the process, they each contribute to the courts general objective of ensuring that the legal system remains fair, efficient, and effective to those individuals accused of committing a crime. A judge’s role is essential to court proceedings. He or she is responsible for ensuring the court proceedings are legal, and that the defendant receives his or her rights of due process. The judge does this by setting the rules of the courtroom and acting as a referee between opposing council. Although a judges’ most visible role is during a criminal or civil trial, he or she has many responsibilities outside of this setting. Prior to any court hearing, the judge is responsible for signing search and arrest warrants. Judges also deal with the issue of bail once established that there is enough evidence to hold a criminal trial against the defendant during the preliminary hearing. Judges decide on whether to grant bail, and if so at what amount and on what conditions. If any of the conditions are broken...

Words: 3832 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Justice

...Week Three Read Me First criminal courts INTRODUCTION This week focuses on the criminal court system. Courts are typically limited in geographical jurisdiction and in the cases that they can hear. The United States has a dual court system in which the courts closely resemble and complement one another. The courts also have what is known as a courtroom work group that consists of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, baliff, clerk, and court reporters. The roles of the courtroom workgroup will be discussed at length this week. This Week in Relation to the Course This week, you explore what happens after arrest. All offenders must go through a series of steps following arrest and detention. This process involves the court system and a number of players who have an integral role in the criminal justice system, such as mental health workers, probation officers, jurors, and so on. The defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge are three of the most important positions involved in this process. The roles of the prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, and other members of the court are examined. You learn about the options that judges consider when determining punishment. You also explore the premise of determinate and indeterminate sentencing and how it affects the actions of the court. The differences between the federal and the state courts and between adult and juvenile court systems are another important aspect of this week. You discuss the various steps during...

Words: 682 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Media in the Courtroom

...Media In The Courtroom Media in the courtroom can profoundly change and alter the outcome of a trial by allowing society to form an opinion before justice prevails. How is that possible, from Judge Judy to the Supreme Court society wants to be involved by any means possible to give their opinion on how justice should prevail? The journalists and television companies sell this belief, they hide behind the first amendment rights to air and publish any information that in turn helps to sell their product. Society is blinded by the need to know mentality, they have not realized the end results may not end in their favor. The only time society sees an error in our system is when the error affects their lives. Reality T.V is a catalyst to this need to know mentality. Cameras, Television, Radio, Internet, and Journalists these are the instruments that set criminals free. Ladies and Gentlemen I intend to prove without a reason of doubt that media in the courtroom is detrimental to the process of a fair trial and a defendants right to due process. As John Q public should be aware the justice system is a process to keep society safe, if they interfere with that process how can they say lady justice prevailed. Let’s say they have a defendant who has been accused of killing 10 people he has signed a confession of guilt and of course has hired a lawyer. First he is arrested and informed of his rights. Next they go into the courtroom where a judge informs him of his rights and his...

Words: 1170 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Roles of the Courtroom Professionals and Victimization

...Roles of the Courtroom Professionals and Victimization Every day a choreographed dance plays out in the courtrooms across the United States. The dancers consist of trained professionals dedicated to the criminal justice system. Each person has a unique responsibility in regards to the role they play in how cases are processed through the court system. The roles are divided into categories of professionals and non–professionals. The judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, bailiff, court reporter, and court administrator are among the professionals. Non-professional participants are those who attend court proceedings and may include the defendant, victims, witnesses, jurors, spectators and media personnel. There are specific guidelines the individual participants must follow for communicating and processing cases through the court system regardless if the case originates in criminal or civil court. The professional members in the courtroom are responsible for moving cases through the courts and ensuring all Constitutional Rights are protected in the best interest of society. Public outcry and advocacy have led to the emergence of victims’ rights in recent decades. Prosecuting Attorney The prosecuting attorney’s role is to present evidence against the defendant on behalf of society. When a case is presented to them, they must review the evidence and the charges against an individual to warrant moving forward with the case. The prosecutor attends every court proceeding...

Words: 1896 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Courtroom Participation Paper

...Courtroom Participation Paper The courtroom assemblage consists of numerous participants, the prosecutor, defense attorney, defendant, judge, bailiff, witnesses, and the jury. Each of these participants plays a significant part in the criminal justice system court process. Prosecutorial “The prosecutor is an administrator of justice, an advocate, and an officer of the court; the prosecutor must exercise sound discretion in the performance of his or her functions. The duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely to convict” according to American Bar Association. The prosecutor represents the government in court. The prosecutor is a key element in the justice process; the prosecutor’s role has evolved and become specialized and multifaceted as the law and legal system progresses. Their primary function is to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. To present the court with the focal points of indictment, present the evidence and argue the case. The United States Attorney General is the highest ranking law enforcement official in the U.S. and is appointed by the president. On the state level constituents vote for the attorney general. Every state is broken down into sections known as districts and each has a district attorney that heads their districts judicial system. Defense The defendant is the person accused in crime. A defense attorney can be privately hired by the defendant or if the defendant cannot afford one, one will...

Words: 1336 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Vinny

... including interviews with Vinny’s producer and screenwriter. You should check them out. To me, Vinny is not only a great courtroom movie; it’s a great comedy. I think the comedic elements that make it so great come from the fact that we have two fishes out of water here — Brooklynite Vinny and the befuddled Beechum County citizens who are forced to deal with him. Both sides are aware of their difference, yet neither condescends to the other; they are all humble, likeable people searching for common ground. At one particularly bungling moment, Vinny’s fiancee mocks him, “Gotta let everyone know you’re a tourist.” As Vinny replies, “What are you, a f—— world traveler?” Vinny’s full of braggadocio and confidence, but he doesn’t think he knows it all. But the heart of comedy is an elusive subject and too often, in talking about it, the comedy slips through the critic’s fingers. And so I think, rather than analyzing what makes Vinnysuch a hilarious movie, I’ll stick to what I should know best: how Vinny rates as a courtroom movie, in terms of its courtroom realism. No movie makes perfect marks on this score. The urge for screenwriters and producers to crank up the courtroom drama always trumps the impulse to want to get it right. But some get it a lot better than others. Several months ago, while laid up, I was watching the Ed Norton/Richard Gere courtroom drama Primal Fear and it just got so many things wrong — evidentiary issues, the judge’s rulings, etc. — that the movie held...

Words: 1522 - Pages: 7