Describe how the issue may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system: Provide a brief discussion of the issue, including the recent history of the issue an

CJ 500 Module Two Legal Policy Short Paper Guidelines and Rubric

Overview: For this assignment, you will write a short paper proposing a strategy to minimize the negative impact a selected issue may have on the criminal justice system. By beginning to analyze one specific issue, this paper will help prepare you for your Milestone One submission in Module Three.

There are many controversial topics in the field of criminal justice. So far, you have been introduced to a few of these issues, such as improper or excessive use of force, police corruption, disparity in prison sentences based on race, improper training or policies, racial profiling, and civil liability, to name a few. Often, these issues create a negative public perception of the criminal justice system.

After being introduced to the controversial issues of victims’ rights and jailhouse informants in this module’s resources, you will select one such critical issue that is interesting to you and propose a strategy to minimize the negative impact this issue has on public perception of the field of criminal justice.

This assignment may be related to the issue you will ultimately select in Module Three for your final project, and should certainly get you thinking about controversial issues in the criminal justice system. First, to choose an issue to complete this task, refer to the module’s resources and the following optional resource for Module Two: A Criminal Quartet: The Supreme Court’s Resolution of Four Critical Issues in the Criminal Justice System. This resource examines four recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings related to controversial issues in the criminal justice arena. You may also select your own issue.

Next, identify and utilize a problem solving strategy after reviewing the Problem-Solving Strategies and Sample document. You may also use your own strategy. Additionally, you need to identify and analyze an evidence-based practice that will be most effective in dealing with the issue you selected. In your paper, analyze the controversial issue and describe how it may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system.

Prompt: Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

1. Issue Presented: Summarize the issue in the form of a brief one-sentence question. 2. Short Answer: Provide a short answer which summarizes the conclusion of your paper. 3. Statement of Facts: Describe how the issue may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system. 4. Discussion: Provide a brief discussion of the issue, including the recent history of the issue and any legal precedents related to it. 5. Conclusion: Provide a conclusion based on the details of the issue outlined in the Discussion section. 6. Recommendations:

a. Based on your reading, propose at least one evidence-based practice to minimize the negative impact this issue may have on public perception of the criminal justice field.

b. Describe what possible successful outcomes might result from addressing this issue by analyzing it with evidence-based practices.

Reference course readings to support your submission.

Guidelines for Submission: Your submission should be at least 2 to 3 pages in length (in addition to title and reference pages) and should use double spacing, 12- point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Use APA style to cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page.

Refer to the Criminal Justice Library Tips for assistance in finding and citing outside sources.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Issue Presented Meets “Proficient” criteria and question is a succinct and clear summary of the issue

Summarizes the issue in a one- sentence question

Summarizes the issue in a one- sentence question, but summary contains inaccuracies

Does not summarize the issue in a one-sentence question

5

Short Answer Meets “Proficient” criteria and short answer is a succinct and clear su mmary of the conclusion

Provides a short answer t hat summarizes the conclusion of the paper

Provides a short answer t hat summarizes the conclusion of the paper, but summary lacks detail or c ontains inaccuracies

Does not provide a short answer that summarizes the conclusion of the paper

5

Statement of Facts Meets “Proficient” criteria substantiated with evidence to support description

Describes how the issue may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system

Describes how the issue may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system, but description lacks detail or c ontains inaccuracies

Does not describe how the issue may negatively affect public perception of the criminal justice system

15

Discussion Meets “Proficient” criteria substantiated with research to support discussion

Provides a discussion of the issue, including the recent history of the issue and any legal precedents related to it

Provides a discussion of the issue, but does not include the recent history of the issue or any legal precedents related to it

Does not provide a discussion of the issue

15

Conclusion Meets “Proficient” criteria substantiated with evidence to support discussion

Provides a conclusion based on the details of the issue outlined in the Discussion section

Provides a conclusion based on the details of the issue outlined in the Discussion section, but conclusion lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Does not provide a conclusion based on the details of the issue outlined in the Discussion section

15

Recommendations: Evidence-Based

Practice

Meets “Proficient” criteria substantiated with citations from the course readings to support practices

Proposes evidence-based practice to minimize the negative impact a criminological issue may have on public perception of the criminal justice field

Proposes practice to minimize the negative impact a criminological issue may have on public perception of the criminal Justice field, but practice is not evidence-based

Does not propose practice to minimize the negative impact a criminological issue may have on public perception of the criminal justice field

15

Recommendations: Successful Outcomes

Meets “Proficient” criteria substantiated with research to support description

Describes possible successful outcomes that might result from addressing this issue by analyzing it with evidence-based practices

Describes possible successful outcomes that might result from addressing this issue, but description lacks detail or contains inaccuracies

Does not describe possible successful outcomes that might result from addressing this issue

15

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization, and is presented in a professional and easy to read format

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

15

Total 100%