What are some potential solutions for limiting excessive use of force by U.S. police officers?

CJ 221 Criminal Justice Seminar
Mid-Term Exam Fall 2021

Answer each of the following questions using academic resources that might help you to create scholarly, well-written responses. Citations will not be required unless you choose to directly quote from a source. Be sure to answer each part of the questions completely. Answers must be submitted via Blackboard (click on Mid-Term Exam Submission and download the appropriate Word or PDF file) by midnight on October 24 to receive credit. There are no minimum or maximum length parameters the best, most complete, and most academic responses will receive the highest grades. Late submissions will not be accepted.

1. Find and describe a specific case of wrongful conviction online (that was not mentioned in class). What was the main cause of the wrongful conviction? What types of errors were made and what recommendations would you make to reduce the chances of this happening again in cases like this one? Was the person compensated financially or by other means in this case? Do you think that their compensation was sufficient? Describe this persons life circumstances after their release from prison.

2. What are some potential solutions for limiting excessive use of force by U.S. police officers? Why do you think that they would work? Provide some evidence from research. What reasons do you think that police agencies would give for not utilizing your solutions?

3. Do you think that Plea Bargaining is really a problem in the U.S. criminal justice system? Why/Why not? Be sure to provide evidence to support your perspective here.

4. How would you explain the purposes/justifications for capital punishment to a child (not for executing a child), OR, conversely, the lack of purposes/justifications for the practice?

5. Does the U.S. have a gun problem? If yes, what is it? If no, why do we spend so much time trying to solve it? If you were tasked with creating a national set of gun laws, what would it look like and how would you justify your policies?

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