Asking the Right Questions

9431Overview
Including the right information in your criminal justice reports depends on many things. It is very important that you develop a habit of asking the right questions in order to collect the right information, taking detailed notes, and always keeping your information organized. You must ensure that the information you put in your reports is specific and accurate in order to ensure individuals are readily identified, that the facts regarding possible criminal activity lead to or show the necessary probable cause, and that any action by law enforcement during the incident or post-incident investigation does not violate anyone’s civil rights or constitutional protections.
Instructions
To complete this assignment, write a 2–3 page paper in which you:
Select one of the criminal justice reports ( incident reports,
complaints and warrants, pre-sentence reports, search warrants, and probation order) and Create a Criminal Justice Report Summary.
Prepare a summary of the essential questions you will need to ask to gather the information to be included in the report.
Describe an organizational or note-taking strategy that would facilitate the creation of this report.
Explain how the information in the report you have selected would be used to form the basis for a presentation to the district attorney’s office, or for any arrest or follow up investigation.