Reference no: EM133046638

Discussion 1.

In 2007, John Couey was tried and convicted for the murder of Jessica Lunsford in a Miami- Dade County courtroom. He was convicted despite the fact that his confession was ruled inadmissible by the trial judge. Research his case. Why was his confession thrown out? Do you agree with the judge's decision to throw out the confession in this case? What is the logic in releasing a suspect who has confessed to a crime under circumstances that prohibit the use of that admission, when the police know that person committed the crime? Is this justice? Explain.

Discussion 2. 

Everyone in the United States accused of a crime that is looking at incarceration is entitled to a defense attorney. Those that cannot afford an attorney are appointed an attorney. These attorneys are either a public defender or a court-appointed counsel.

Some defendants choose to represent themselves in their criminal trial? Why would people want to represent themselves in court pro se? Research and discuss any case in the history of the U.S. legal system where the individual represented himself in his own criminal trial. Why did the defendant make this decision? What was the defendant charged with? What was the outcome of the trial? Explain

Discussion 3.

In August of 2014, a 12-year-old boy stabbed and killed a 9-year-old boy on a Michigan playground. Prosecutors have decided to charge the 12-year-old as an adult. If found guilty, what do you believe is the appropriate punishment for the 12-year-old? Explain your position on what you think the sentence should be? What factors have you considered to come to this conclusion? Explain using case law.

Discussion 4.

Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit was quoted as saying:

"And on another note about academia and practical law, I see absolutely no value to a judge of spending decades, years, months, weeks, day, hours, minutes, or seconds studying the Constitution, the history of its enactment, its amendments, and its implementation (across the centuries-well, just a little more than two centuries, and of course less for many of the amendments). Eighteenth-century guys, however smart, could not foresee the culture, technology, etc., of the 21st century. Which means that the original Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the post-Civil War amendments (including the 14th), do not speak to today."

1. Do you agree with Judge Posner that there is no value in studying the U.S. Constitution? Explain your position.