...Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice Brent Weaver Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice, CJA/423 Torria Richardson 5-30-11 Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice Society has shown racial diversity among communities. Racial disparity can be found in the criminal justice system. A system designed to be fair and equal to individuals is not existent. Racial diversity can be found at the time of arrest to the time of sentencing. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the diversity in sentencing. Case studies will be discussed throughout this paper. Leaders of criminal justice are not exempt of racial diversity. Racial diversity has changed over the years, but racial diversity remains strong in sentencing minorities. Diversity is not biased of offenses. Racial diversity can be seen in the smallest of charges, such as a traffic stop to the most serious sentence of the death penalty. Most of the sentences are because profiling an individual of minority. African Americans are likely to be the targeted racial group. Hispanic individuals are likely to be another racial group profiled for harsher sentencing. Racial disparity in the criminal justice system should always be considered a violation of ideas of the forefather’s of this nation as equal treatment under the laws of the United States Constitution. Many reasons for racial disparity can be identified in the sentencing process. The sentencing process is a difficult process, and adding racial bias may create a...
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...Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice The diversity issue focused on in this paper will be racial disparity in sentencing. This paper will also focus on some of the reasons why racial disparity exists within sentencing. One of the research methods used in this paper will be case studies. In society today there are a diversity of citizens, of offenders, and leaders within in the court system. However, race still plays a big role in the Criminal Justice system especially during the sentencing portion. Although racial dynamics may have changed over time, race still exerts an undeniable presence in sentencing process. This ranges from disparate traffic stops due to racial profiling to imposition of the death penalty based on the race of victim and/or offender. (The Sentencing Project, 2005). Here in the United States, African Americans criminals are over represented compared to their number in the general population. According to (Calderon, 2006) “the idea of a racially discriminatory process violates the ideals of equal treatment under law as well as under the constitution that these laws were based on.” Racial discrimination within sentencing is often a complex process, along with other factors, as well as producing racially discriminatory outcomes in certain situations. Racial discrimination has been a big part of this country for a very long time and just because things have started to change it does not mean people’s perception have changed. However, people who are in...
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...------------------------------------------------- jury selection process Jocelyn Edwards April 15, 2016 CJS/221 Instructor EBONY PULLINS-GOVANTES Jocelyn Edwards April 15, 2016 CJS/221 Instructor EBONY PULLINS-GOVANTES An explanation of the jury selection process is known as several methods normally used to select the people that will serve on a jury. During this process you have several steps that occur and they are listed as the following: First thing first, you start off with a jury pool which is where the individuals are selected from a community simply by using a fair random method. Then, a list of names for the jury are collected from Voter's registration and driver's license or state ID renewals. Next, there are summonses mailed to different citizens and that’s where a panel of jurors are appointed to a courtroom and randomly picked to serve in the jury box. Third, the judge and attorneys have an option whether or not to challenge for a cause argument or use one of the peremptory challenges based on jurisdiction. Lastly, the jury in certain jurisdictions must be death qualified to remote those who are opposed to the death penalty. Here are a few cases that helped controlled the systemic discrimination of the courts in this process: 1880 decision of Strauder v. West Virginia, United States v. Nelson, Swain v. Alabama, Purkett v. Elem, and Batson v. Kentucky just to name a few. Jury nullification is used in relation to diversity because it's based on an ultimately destructive sentiment of racial kinship...
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...Wilfredo Hernandez Rivera Disparity in the jury selection process CJS/221 September 7 2015 Christopher Manning In the United states of America talking about racism is something uncommon as a lot of if people know that they are laws that go against discrimination and racism, however this does not mean that thoughts and emotional racism feelings are involve in the daily life of a lot of people in the United States, therefore this discriminatory thoughts or ideas are always involve in all the system that are meant to serve and protect society, this would also include the same system that is meant to provide equality and justice in America, the court justice system. In this paper there will be some key points to study, such key points includes: An explanation of the process and cases that have helped to control the systemic discrimination of the courts in this process, a discussion of how jury nullification is used in relation to diversity, and a discussion of the use of peremptory challenges to jury selection and the impact on the jury composition. Firs let’s start with how some processes have helped to control the systematic discrimination of courts in this process. One of the most common process to fight discrimination is the selection of a jury pool. There are different facts about the jury pool selection, this one’s includes “that all white jury has been a staple of the America criminal justice system for...
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...Bartlett AIU Online Justifying Reforms in the Ways States Selects Jurors to Insure Fairness to All. The Supreme Court has always defended it law that a defendant is not entitle to a jury composed in whole or in part of persons of his or her own race. But they do not stop states from doing so on their own. Some law maker has suggested that names of majority races jurors be removed from the jury list and others that a certain number of seats on jury are set aside for racial minorities. The only way to justify the use of removing the names of majority race jurors from the jury list might be to have them to really take a good look at how the jurors are selected so they can see that under current law it is impossible for African American, Latinos, and Asian American to really be judged by juries of their peers because of the way that the jurors are selected. A nonprofit law organization by the name of Equal Justice Initiative took a close look at jury selection procedures in about ten states and found out that African American is underrepresented in jury pool in 75% of the counties in the United States Latinos and Asian Americans are barred in 90% of counties (Equal Justice Initiative). This lack of racial diversity and the law in the selecting of jurors make it impossible for racial minorities in places like Cumming Ga... Which have been an all-white county for decades (Los Angeles Times).Klan groups live here you would need for these reform to be in places in counties...
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...Street Law for Youth Courts © 2006 A JURY OF YOUR PEERS: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DIVERSITY IN JURIES? OUTCOMES As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: Identify the skills, experiences and values essential for ideal jurors Explain the popular concept of “a jury of your peers” and describe its application in youth courts and adult courts Define diversity and discuss the benefits of a diverse jury Define terms such as: grand jury, petit jury, summons, jury pool, jury venire, voir dire, removal for cause, peremptory challenge Describe the right to a jury given by the United States Constitution Explain why the jury system is important in a democracy, especially in a pluralistic society MATERIALS NEEDED Chalkboard and chalk or flipchart paper and markers (Optional) Several samples of help wanted advertisements. The ads should describe the type of candidate the employer is seeking. The particular job does not matter. HANDOUTS 1 Help Wanted (enough for each student) 2 The Rights to Juries According to the U.S. Constitution (enough for each student) 3 How Are Petit Juries Selected? (enough for each student, plus an extra copy) 4 Options for More Diverse Juries (enough for each student) 5 News Flash! (enough for each student) A Jury Of Your Peers 91 Street Law for Youth Courts ©2006 TRANSPARENCY OR POSTER (Optional) Strauder v. West Virginia PREPARING TO TEACH THIS LESSON Prepare the materials listed above. Write up and post the outcomes of the lesson. Write...
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...Miller with scissors while she was said to be sewing a dress alone in her home. He was also accused of fighting with Miller and hogtied her only to stab her repeatedly in her chest. Unfortunately for Hillery, there was someone who witnessed the incident and claimed that it had been Hillery at the home who had also been convicted of rape and had been on parole at the time for the crime he committed in the past. Hillery pleaded innocent but was indicted of the crime regardless of the facts simply because the members of the grand jury were systematically excluded of the black race. Clifford Earl Tedmon argued the cause and filed a brief on behalf of Hillery. The Warden (Vasquez) of San Quentin State Prison requested that the Court retire a “doctrine of equal protection jurisprudence first announced in 1880.” He announced to the court that “The time has come for us to abandon the rule requiring reversal of the conviction of any defendant indicted by a grand jury from which members of his own race systemically excluded.” He was “thrice sentenced” to death for the murder in which that sentence was reduced to life imprisonment because the California Supreme Court found that imposition of the death penalty was inconsistent with the California Constitution. Over the next sixteen years, Hillery pursued his Equal Protection Clause until he was able to file for a Habeas Corpus which is a court order to summon a prisoner to hear from a prison official the reason why he was imprisoned for the...
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...less than 15 employees or members, private membership establishments and various religious organizations (Ivancevich & Konopaske, 2013). The law encompasses several aspects of employment that include, hiring of employees, firing of employees, promoting and compensation (Ivancevich & Konopaske, 2013). The Civil Rights Act of 1991 amended several of the statutes enforced by EEOC. Under the previous code, jury trials were possible only in cases brought under the EPA or the ADEA. Under amended provisions, parties were allowed to obtain jury trials and recover compensatory and punitive damages in Title VII and ADA lawsuits involving intentional discrimination (Ivancevich & Konopaske, 2013). The Act also placed statutory caps on the amount of damages awarded for future losses, pain and suffering and punitive damages based on the organizations size (The Civil Rights Act of 1991, Compensatory and Punitive Damages section, para. 1-4). The amended law allowed alternative for employer to handle disputes by utilizing mediation, facilitation, and arbitration over jury trials (Ivancevich & Konopaske, 2013). Lastly, Title VII and ADA coverage was extended to...
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...Crime statistics and incarceration rates reveal that young African American men are prosecuted and imprisoned at higher rates than their Non-Hispanic White counterparts. Although the total number of incarcerations by race does not vary significantly, the age of prisoners by race is meaningful. In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice statistics for sentenced male prisoners under state and federal jurisdiction totaled 1,537,415. Broken down by race, African American lacks totaled 555,300 prisoners with Whites totaling 465,100 and Hispanics 331,500. As the assignment scenario noted, in 2003 there was disparity between the incarceration rates for males aged 25-29 among races. As of 2011, rates for the same age group do not show as wide of a gap. In 2011, White males ages 25 to 29 comprised 14.4 percent of incarcerated males compared to 16.5 percent African American lacks and 18.8 percent Hispanics. The statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice for 2011 show that, “More than half (52%) of white male prisoners were age 39 or younger, compared to 63% of black and 68% of Hispanic male prisoners.” There remains disparity when age is factored into the incarceration rates with eleven percent more Blacks and sixteen percent more Hispanics incarcerated than Whites for those 39 and younger. In addition, one must consider that African Americans have higher rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration when they total a minority number in the population. When evaluating...
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...1991 The Americans with Disabilities Act Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 State and Local EEO Laws Religious and Other Types of Discrimination Sexual Harassment Defenses against Discrimination Allegations The Central Role of Adverse Impact Bona Fide Occupational Qualification Business Necessity Recruitment Word of Mouth Misleading Information Help Wanted Ads Selection Standards Educational Requirements Tests Preference to Relatives Height, Weight, and Physical Characteristics Arrest Records Application Forms Discharge Due to Garnishment Sample Discriminatory Promotion, Transfer, & Layoff Practices Personal Appearance Regulations and Title VII The EEOC Enforcement Process Voluntary Mediation Mandatory Arbitration of Discrimination Claims Diversity Management Potential Threats to Diversity Some Diversity Benefits Managing Diversity Implementing the Affirmative Action Program Reverse Discrimination In Brief: This chapter gives a history of equal opportunity legislation, outlines defenses against discrimination allegations, gives examples of discriminatory practices, describes the EEOC enforcement process, and suggests proactive programs. Interesting Issues: Affirmative action...
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...Hysterical, she frantically calls the police. The police arrest Cardigan for stealing the pie. Cardigan has a trial as do all citizens of the United States to allow the court system to prove whether he is innocent or guilty of stealing the apple pie. He testifies that he did smell the pie but didn’t steal it. To find out what happens next at the trial pick up a copy of the story at your local library. Now the lesson over The Trial of Cardigan Jones will serve two purposes. First it will be a lesson that is used for Socials Studies plus it will incorporate Reading and Language as well. This lesson plan will introduce Social Studies standard number three for third grade. The standard states that societies are shaped by beliefs, ideas, and diversity. Benchmark 3.1 states that the students will recognize and evaluate significant beliefs, contributions, and ideas of the many diverse peoples and groups and their impact on individuals, communities, states, and nations. Benchmark 3.2 states that the students will draw conclusions about significant beliefs, contributions, and ideas, by analyzing the origins and context under which these competing ideals were reached. They will also analyze the multiple perspectives from which they come. The reading standard for grade three under key ideas is RL.3.3 which states that students will describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. First of all what I would like to do...
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...Affirmative Action In America University of Phoenix, Axia College Affirmative Action In America Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This statement will always ring true especially on the subject of equal opportunity employment and Affirmative Action. While Affirmative Action seemed to be a hot topic in the past, it is still one that should continue to be addressed. Affirmative Action is needed in the American workplace to improve morale and create equity among all Americans. The history of Affirmative Action (AA) is a long one. The first federal law passed was The Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law started the term, “Equal Opportunity Employment” and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The first legislation to pass was Executive Order number 11246 on September 24, 1965 (Aberson & Haag, 2003). This essentially stated that employers needed to take affirmative action to ensure no one was discriminated against for their race, religion, color, or country of origin. In more recent years, employers have added sexual orientation, abilities, and ethnicity to their list of nondiscrimination. Unfortunately, during these times white men were not always accepting of women and minorities in the workplace. Women who joined the workplace in the 1960s and 1970s were expected to do chores for the men in the workplace. They would also be sexually harassed and abused by their male coworkers...
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...S. Constitution (ratified in 1791) states that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of the law." The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) outlawed slavery, and courts have held that it bars racial discrimination. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 32 Chapter: 2 Objective: 1 Skill: Concept 2) The ________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed slavery, and courts have held that it bars racial discrimination. A) First B) Fifth C) Tenth D) Thirteenth E) Fourteenth Answer: D Explanation: The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) outlawed slavery, and courts have held that it bars racial discrimination. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (ratified in 1791) states that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of the law." Diff: 2 Page Ref: 32 Chapter: 2 Objective: 1 Skill: Concept 3) The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution addresses the subject of ________. A) due process B) slavery C) private property D) trial by jury E) women's rights Answer: B Explanation: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and courts have held that it bars racial discrimination. The 5th Amendment addresses due process, and the 6th Amendment requires a trial by jury. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 32 Chapter: 2 Objective: 1 Skill: Concept 4) The ________ gives all persons the same right to make and enforce contracts and to benefit from the laws of the land. A) Fifth Amendment B)...
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... and about basic legal concepts (and legal vocabulary); ♥ But more importantly: background information about some of the critical ways in which the American legal system is unique, and differs from legal systems elsewhere in the world. This is hard: often you will find that your professors or fellow‐students will make assumptions or presuppose certain ways of doing things that aren’t explained in class. A large goal of this course is to explain those assumptions, and make them explicit. >> UNIQUENESS OF AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEMS Briefly, there are four aspects of the American legal system that set it apart: 1) Inherited common law, existing out of three components: (a) judicial power; (b) civil jury trial; (c) law‐equity ; 2) Written Constitution and Bill of Rights; judicial...
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...Criminal Justice Trends Evaluation Anthony Tomlin CJA/394 May 1, 2014 Professor Ken Jones Criminal Justice Trends Evaluation The American criminal justice system serves as a means for retribution and rehabilitation for criminals. In the early inception of the criminal justice system juries held the sentencing powers – convicting most criminals to death. Over the years sentencing powers shifted to judges. In this paper we will discuss the problems and changes in the criminal justice processes. The criminal justice system is not perfect but over the years there has been an continued improvement in the process. There are issues with the system that are being addressed such as prison overcrowding, three strikes rule, the disparity in sentencing for certain drug convictions, and the sentencing of minority groups. There are several future trends, such as training and educating law enforcement personnel, rehabilitating criminals, and law enforcement being proactive versus reactive. There are changes in the criminal justice system occurring and changes being lobbied by politicians. The future of criminal justice is constantly evolving with time but the full extent of how the changes will affect the system is not fully known. Some suggest laws of the past have been left behind by society and that change to the criminal justice system requires an overhaul to laws. Understand some of the crimes individuals commit warrant the sentencing received because...
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