Sentencing

WORK ONE

The purpose of this assignment is to assess your ability to:

• Compare and contrast the four major sentencing philosophies.
• Evaluate major issues related to imprisonment in the U.S., including overcrowding, conditions of confinement lawsuits, and high costs.

OVERVIEW

In this assignment, you’ll examine the four major sentencing philosophies: retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. You’ll evaluate how federal sentencing guidelines have impacted disparity and discrimination in sentencing.

ACTION ITEMS

1. In a paper of 1000-1200 words:
   • Summarize the four major sentencing philosophies and the arguments for and against them.
   • Explain which philosophy you believe is most represented in the U.S. justice system and why. (You will find the links listed under Additional Resources for this week useful for this.)
   • Describe the positive and negative impacts of the federal sentencing guidelines. How have these guidelines impacted and/or influenced issues of overcrowding, conditions of confinement lawsuits, and high costs?
   • Support your conclusions with information from your textbook and other sources.
2. Format your title page, paper, and citations according to APA guidelines. You do not need to include an abstract. You must include a references page. The title and references pages do not count toward your word total requirement.
3. Carefully proofread your writing.

WORK TWO

The purpose of this assignment is to assess your ability to compare and contrast:

• Compare and contrast the appellate courts and the lower courts in terms of organization, purpose and function.
• Compare and contrast juvenile courts and adult courts.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Write a 300-500 word paper responding to the following questions from your textbook:
   1. Critical Thinking Question: why are most finding of guilt at the trail level not appealed? In what ways are appellate cases unrepresentative of trail court cases.
   2. Critical Thinking Question : In what ways do juveniles courts differ from courts that process adult accused of violating the criminal law? In what ways are juvenile courts simlar?
2. Format your title page, paper, and citations according to APA guidelines. You do not need to include an abstract. You must include a references page. The title and references pages do not count toward your word total requirement.
3. Carefully proofread your writing.