Mock Sentencing Paper

Section 1: Crime Scene Investigation (2-3 pages)

This section should include detailed research on the alleged crimes. Investigate the date(s), location(s), and circumstances of the crime. Considering that you will not be able to investigate as a true CSI, you will have to rely on witness testimony, news articles, documentaries, and book resources for information. Sift through the details of the crime to determine if this was a “crime of passion” or mistake; or was this crime done with intent to do damage.

Section 2: Offender Background Investigator (2-3 pages)

Students should complete a life history profile of the offender. Investigators should essentially put together a ‘pre-sentence investigation’ as are provided by Probation Officers in court cases (see lecture “Jails and the Birth of confinement”). You should look for and include information on the offender’s criminal history, school or work history (if you are able to find), upbringing, mental health history, etc. Close attention should be paid to the offender’s childhood. The purpose is for you to sift through the information and look for whether or not the person has a history of violence, or bad behaviors generally.

Section 3: Sentencing (2 pages)

The main objective in this section is to use the information provided in the Crime Scene Investigation and Background Investigation sections to compile a convincing argument either in favor of a rehabilitative or punitive (severe punishment) sentence. Here is where you take a stance for Utilitarianism (rehabilitation/looking into the future) or for Retributivism (punitive/focusing on immediate justice). You are to assume the person(s) is guilty, and it is your job to convince me of a light or severe punishment. Keep in mind that a guilty conviction has to include evidence of 1) criminal intent- offender has to be aware of the difference between right and wrong, and know that a crime was committed, and 2) voluntary participation- offender has to have committed the crime on his/her own accord without any outside influence. If you choose a retributive punishment, you should argue ‘why’ the person deserves a punishment using a Retributive theory. If you choose a Utilitarian Punishment you should argue ‘why the defendant deserves a treatment using a Utilitarian theory.

Must be double spaced and based on the Pennsylvania vs. Bill Cosby case