2.1 Criminal Justice

Getting Started

Throughout this course, you will engage in a series of discussion board assignments relating to “Biblical Wisdom.”  Typically, each week there will be a posted question to which you will be required to respond.  It is expected that this initial response be a minimum of one paragraph in length.  You will also be required to respond to one other student.  These responses should be substantive in nature.

At Indiana Wesleyan University, a key component in our mission is, “…changing the world by developing students in character…” We believe character building is rooted in Biblical wisdom, to the extent it is the cornerstone joining every course to a Christ-centered worldview.  As you prepare for each workshop in this course, we ask that you begin with a devotion highlighting a relevant passage from the

Bible

and discovering how it might apply to your life, character, and to this course.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Explain how the “just deserts” model describes an individual defendant’s responsibility at sentencing.

· Resources

· Bible

Background Information

…if there is serious injury… you are to take… eye for eye, tooth for tooth…

Exodus 21:24 (NIV)

You have heard it was said “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.”  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV)

A defendant has been arrested for assault on an elderly woman.  Before the defendant is sentenced, the victim forgives him and requests the charges be dropped.  The prosecution refuses, however, and the defendant pleads guilty.  At sentencing, the victim speaks up for the defendant, begging for leniency on the basis that, as the victim, she should be able to determine whether the defendant is punished or not. 

In our system of criminal justice, defendants are punished not only because of their specific victims, but also for society as a whole.  The rational choice theory of routine activities holds that individual choice is the primary determinant for a defendant’s behavior and the “just deserts” model explains that a defendant should receive a type of punishment that is equal to the severity of the crime they committed.  According to the neoclassical perspective, justice for an individual is what they deserve when all the circumstances surrounding their situation and behavior are taken into account. 

Taking the victim’s statement into account, how should the defendant be punished in the original scenario?  Should the defendant be granted leniency based on the victim’s plea, or should he be punished like any other defendant charged in similar circumstances?

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following prompts:

a. When punishing a defendant, is justice served by following the wishes of a victim or by protecting society?

b. Should a victim be able to dictate how a defendant is sentenced in serious crimes?

c. Defend your answer and be substantive in your response.