Trials and Verdicts Essay

There have been many studies looking at wrongful conviction cases, and along with that, there have been thousands of empirical studies done on the traditional causes of it (Leo, 2009, pg, 29). These include eye witness testimony and false confessions induced by police (Leo, 2009, p.29). This paper will look at the research done on those who have been wrongfully convicted and the psychological effects that it has had on them. I will discuss several psychological processes that can lead to wrongful convictions in court. I will then look at the various psychological effects including mental and physical health issues. Along with discussing some aspects of the stigmatization exonerees receive when returning home after being released that may contribute to their personal psychological effects.

It was a very tragic situation, an officer should always know who/what they are shooting at every time they pull the trigger. It is a hard story to read and the radio talk amongst the police is even worse. After the officers had fired their weapons, in the graphic footage from one of the officers body cams, you could hear the two officers talking. An officer can be heard in the footage

Since the series revolves around real life events that occurred, it is quite accurate how the criminal justice is represented. In the series, we see everything that we would see in the criminal justice field, for instance the courtroom actors such as the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, bailiffs, courtroom clerk, and jury. Everyone in the O.J. Simpson was important and they all received more attention than they should have, but the ones who got the most attention and had the biggest role in this case was the jury. Jury selection is selected from the eligible population over the age of 18 who has complied from the DMV. There is a voir dire that process by which jury members are selected, attorneys and judge seek to gain information about

On 08/20/2016 at 01:55 hours, Officers responded to the report of shots fired at 2121 Bethel Ave, Lot L. Upon arrival Officers located a crime scene in Lot L of Walter P. Taylor Homes. A short time later 3 victims showed up at Fort Sanders Hospital with gunshot wounds and made statements that they had been shot in Walter P. Taylor Homes. 2 of the victims were treated at Fort Sanders Hospital and 1 was transported from Fort Sanders to UT Hospital with more serious injuries (When the victim arrived at UT Hospital ER Staff advised that the injuries were non-life threatening). No suspect information is available at this time. Major Crimes is in the process of interviewing the victims at the time of this email.

Given the information provided in the article, Former Sheriff Guilty in Successor's Killing the most profound ethical dilemma faced by the involved criminal justice professionals is the decision to develop a plea for the actual perpetrators of the crime that allowed immunity upon testifying against the mastermind of the plot to kill the newly elected sheriff. Given the history of the ousted sheriff, Sidney Dorsey there is a clear sense that the prosecution and judges involved developed the opinion that despite the involvement of hired assassins the most dangerous criminal was in fact Dorsey. In so doing they to some degree sacrificed their cases against the assassins by allowing them to testify with impunity after facing acquittals in their own murder trials. Patrick Cuffy, Paul Skyers, Melvin Walker and David Ramsey, all admitted to taking part in the killing but were offered deals that allowed all to walk away with little to no consequences.

Influenced by the English law, the Canadian trial process contains a judge, crown prosecutor, defence counsel, the court clerk and court recorder, the sheriff, and other court officials. The judge is the most important person in the room and is respected by the other people in the room, even the observers. The judge is appointed by the federal government unless they are judges from provincial or territorial judges, which are appointed by that specific province or territory. The judge has all the control in the courtroom and makes all the final decision. Crown prosecutors are hired by the government to must that one person committed a crime, this is because criminal law deals with actions against society. The crown prosecutor can withdraw any of the charges on the convicted but have to present all the evidence to the court, even if it does not support their argument. The opposite of the crown prosecutor is the

The witch hunting trials that took place in Early Modern Period occurred across the expanse of Europe, including in its believers groups of people ranging from kings and popes to peasants and servants. Some historians argue that the witch trials of the Early Modern Period where not connected; that the trials where not related to each other and are not part of one large witch-hunt. Other historians argue that the witch hunting trials are related to each other by there similar characteristics. The Early-Modern witch trails where both related and separate entities that where born with the help of elite and common people’s belief in Catholic as well as Protestant locations including Geneva, Trier,

A Jury plays a necessary part in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Trial by jury is one of the ways that could be useful for reaching justice in the courts. The jury has 12 citizens who are chosen randomly from different genders and different ages. (The Guardian, 2005) the jurors work is to help the judge to a make decision about the case so the lawyers show them the evidence and anything related to the case and then the jurors will try to make the right judgment whether the criminal is guilty or not.

A trial by jury or jury trial is a legal proceeding where a jury either makes a finding of a fact or a decision, which then direct the actions of the judge. It is different from a bench trial where a panel of judges makes all decisions. It consists of five steps: the selection of the jury, the trial, the charge of the magistrate, deliberation and then the verdict. The choice of the jury is the first and crucial step.

The case, filed in U.S. District Court, went to trial Monday. The jury began deliberating Thursday and came back with a verdict Friday afternoon. The verdict includes $100,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages. For a total of $400,000, White became granted. Killmer said, “We are very gratified that the jury recognized that Denver police Officer Chafin engaged in excessive force” (Nicholson, 2015). Killmer also stated “The police officer’s aggressive, bullying response was inexcusable. He bloodied and brutalized an elderly disabled man who never in his 77 years had any run-ins with police” (Nicholson, 2015). Killmer final thoughts were “We respect the court, and we comply with the jury’s decision” (Nicholson, 2015). Sonny Jackson also stated “We reviewed the case. We didn’t find any violations of policy. We are always looking for ways to improve” (Nicholson, 2015). It is unknown what was the officers’ punishment, but White status is that he is a retired public school’s administrator who has a master’s degree in education.

During my Sophomore year, my English teacher decided to do a mock trial project. We were to work with a group of three in attempts to either defend or prosecute characters for their crime based on the novel. My prosector team were only made with me and two other boys. We first began to devise a plan about which characters each prosecutor would be using. We all agree on the plan and how the process was arrange. And with explicit repetition, we had finalize what the performance would be. I spend several days researching each of my characters in hopes to make powerful statements. During the course of the week, there was no notice of change in plan, and everything would appears to run smoothly. After all the preparation, it would seem as though I was ready, and with excitement I step into the courtroom.

The system of criminal trial as mentioned or directed by the Code is the adversary system based on the accusatorial method . In this system the prosecutor representing the State (or the people) accuses the defendant (the accused person) of the commission of some crime; and the law requires him to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. The law also provides fair opportunity to the accused person to defend himself. The judge, more or less, is to work as an umpire between the two contestants. Challenge constitutes the essence of adversary trial and truth is supposed to emerge from the controverted facts through effective and constant challenges . Experience has shown that adversary is by and large dependable for the reconciliation of public and private interest i.e. public interest in punishing the criminals and private interest in preventing wrongful convictions.

When it comes to the sentencing of a defendant, a plea bargain can play a big role because it gives the defendant an option to either drop some of the criminal charges that they are being charged with or by reducing the level or severity of a crime in exchange for a guilty plea. Only a small amount of cases actually reach a trial because the vast majority of criminal cases end with a plea bargain or plea agreement. One trial that comes to mind where the defendant accepted a plea agreement was the trial of Ariel

Courtroom testimony work to protect the child from having to physically appear in the courtroom, as the setting may serve to be unfamiliar and terrifying, as the abuser may be present. A child’s testimony may be taken by a two-way closed circuit television, or may occur pre-trial. Therefore, the child is not forced to be in the presence of the perpetrator, or before a courtroom filled with unfamiliar faces. Confidentiality in child sexual abuse cases is crucial, as families value their privacy and would prefer to begin the healing process away from the public’s eye. Therefore, Code § 3509 demands that all Court documents that include the name of the victim or witness must be stored in a secure area, and are not to be disclosed to any individuals who are not involved in the case. With the identity of the victim kept confidential, the needs of the child are met by a multi-disciplinary child abuse team. Such a team “consists of dedicated professionals representing many facets of the government and private sectors including police officers, prosecutors, medical professionals, caseworkers, and therapists” (U.S Department, 2017). Under Code § 3509, the team works side-by-side to prevent any additional trauma from being inflicted upon the child, and may aid in the healing process further down the road. By having such teams available to the victim and the victim’s family, the legal process becomes a less of a burden for the victim, and becomes oriented around the severe and swift punishment of the offender.

"On their arrival the souls had to go straight before Lachesis. And an interpreter….took from the lap of Lachesis a number of lots and patterns of life and…proclaimed: "This is the word of Lachesis maiden daughter of Necessity. Souls of a day, here you must begin another round of mortal life whose end is death"…Then (he) set before them….different patterns of life , far more in number than the souls who were to choose them…"