CRIJ 1301 – Assignment 2

Criminal Justice Process: From Policing to Sentencing

Points: 50

Chapters Covered: 5, 7, 8, and 9

Sources: Textbook and course PowerPoints only (no outside research required)

ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS (READ CAREFULLY)

This assignment is a scenario-based analytical essay, not a list of definitions. Your task is to apply criminal justice concepts from the textbook and course PowerPoints to the facts of the scenario provided.

How to Write This Essay

•        You must respond to all five sections in the order listed.

•        Each section must be written in paragraph form using complete sentences.

•        Do not use bullet points, numbered lists, or outlines.

•        Do not copy textbook definitions. Instead, explain how the concepts apply specifically to this scenario.

Structure & Formatting Requirements

•         Length: 900–1,100 total words

•         Each section must stay within the stated word-count range (±20 words).

•         Use section headings exactly as written (Section 1, Section 2, etc.).

•         Double-spaced, 12-point font, standard margins.

•         Save your completed essay as a PDF, Word document (.doc/.docx), or Google Docs file and upload the file to the Assignment 2 submission link in D2L Brightspace.

Use of Course Material

•        Your responses must be based on:

o The course textbook, and o The course PowerPoints

•        Outside sources are not permitted.

•        You must use criminal justice terminology accurately and in context.

For each section, the “Key terms that MUST be used” are required. Using a term incorrectly or out of context may result in point deductions.

Citations (Section 5 Requirement)

In Section 5, you must identify where your information came from by citing:

•        The textbook chapter, and/or

•        The PowerPoint chapter

Use simple in-text citations only:

•        (Textbook, Ch. 7)

•        (PPT, Ch. 9 – Sentencing Goals)

A reference page is not required.

Failure to cite sources in Section 5 will result in a maximum score of 5/10 for that section.

What Strong Answers Do

Strong responses:

•        Apply concepts directly to the scenario

•        Use required key terms naturally and correctly

•        Demonstrate understanding of how decisions are made in the criminal justice system

•        Stay focused on the facts provided

•        Clearly connect policing, courts, courtroom actors, and sentencing

What Weak Answers Do (Avoid These)

•        List definitions without applying them

•        Repeat the scenario without analysis

•        Provide personal opinions without textbook support

•        Ignore required key terms

•        Exceed or fall short of word-count requirements

Academic Integrity

This assignment must be written in your own words. Submissions that appear to be generated by AI, copied from another student, or copied from online sources may receive a zero and be referred for academic integrity review.

SCENARIO (Read Carefully)

On October 12 at approximately 11:45 p.m., a Galveston Police Department patrol officer is conducting a routine late‑night patrol near the Seawall in a commercial shopping plaza off 61st Street. The plaza includes several small businesses that have recently reported after‑hours burglaries, including an electronics store located at the rear of the property. The area is dimly lit, and most businesses have been closed for hours.

The officer observes Alex Martinez, age 22, standing behind the electronics store near the loading‑dock door. Alex repeatedly looks over his shoulder toward the alley that runs behind the plaza and appears to be manipulating the store’s rear door handle. When the officer pulls into the alley and activates his spotlight, Alex quickly turns away and begins walking toward the dumpster enclosure.

Given the late hour, recent burglary pattern, and Alex’s suspicious behavior, the officer stops him. Concerned for safety in the dark, isolated alley, the officer conducts a brief pat‑down for weapons. During the pat‑down, the officer feels a hard metal object in Alex’s jacket pocket and removes a crowbar.

Based on the crowbar, the attempted door entry, the burglary pattern in the area, and the totality of circumstances, the officer arrests Alex for attempted burglary. A search incident to arrest is conducted. Inside Alex’s backpack, the officer finds several high‑value electronic accessories still in retail packaging, consistent with items reported stolen from nearby stores earlier in the week.

Alex is transported to the Galveston Police Department. While in custody, officers begin questioning him about the attempted burglary before advising him of his Miranda rights. During this questioning, Alex admits he planned to break into the store.

Alex is formally charged with felony attempted burglary under Texas law. Bail is set at $15,000 at the Galveston County Jail, but Alex cannot afford it and remains in custody pending trial. The case proceeds through the Texas state court system in Galveston County. At trial, the prosecution presents the physical evidence and Alex’s confession. Alex is convicted and sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

REQUIRED ESSAY STRUCTURE

You must use the five sections below.  

SECTION 1 – POLICING & LEGAL AUTHORITY (Chapter 5)

Word Count: 180–220 words | Points: 10

Address all of the following:

•        Identify whether the officer had reasonable suspicion or probable cause at each stage:

o The stop o The frisk o The arrest

•        Explain whether the pat-down and seizure of the crowbar were lawful.

•        Discuss whether the search of the backpack was legal and why.

•        Identify one constitutional issue related to Alex’s confession and explain how it could affect admissibility.

Key terms that MUST appear (used correctly): Reasonable suspicion, probable cause, search incident to arrest, Miranda, exclusionary rule.

Do not list definitions—apply them to the facts of the scenario.

SECTION 2 – COURT STRUCTURE & JURISDICTION (Chapter 7)

Word Count: 160–200 words | Points: 10

Address all of the following:

•        Identify whether this case is handled in state or federal court and explain why.

•        Identify which court has original jurisdiction over Alex’s case.

•        Describe the three-tier structure of the state court system as it applies here.

•        Explain one possible path of appeal if Alex challenges his conviction.

Key terms that MUST appear: Jurisdiction, original jurisdiction, appellate court, court of last resort.

SECTION 3 – COURTROOM WORK GROUP (Chapter 8)

Word Count: 160–200 words | Points: 10

Address all of the following:

•        Identify four members of the courtroom work group involved in this case.

•        Explain the primary role of each actor.

•        Discuss how discretion by at least two actors could influence the outcome of Alex’s case.

•        Identify one ethical or fairness concern that could arise during the trial process.

Key terms that MUST appear: Prosecutorial discretion, defense counsel, trial judge, courtroom work group.

SECTION 4 – SENTENCING GOALS & DECISIONS (Chapter 9)

Word Count: 180–220 words | Points: 10

Address all of the following:

•        Identify two goals of sentencing applied in Alex’s case.

•        Explain how those goals justify the four-year prison sentence.

•        Identify one alternative sentencing option and explain why it could or could not apply.

•        Discuss one criticism of the sentence using textbook concepts.

Key terms that MUST appear: Retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, proportionality

SECTION 5 – SYSTEM-LEVEL REFLECTION (Chapters 5–9)

Word Count: 160–200 words | Points: 10

In this section, you must support your analysis with citations to the textbook and/or course PowerPoints.

Required Content (ALL must be addressed):

•        Evaluate whether Alex Martinez was treated fairly throughout the criminal justice process, from stop through sentencing.

•        Identify one decision point where discretion had the greatest impact on the outcome.

•        Explain what this case demonstrates about power and decision-making in the criminal justice system.

•        Cite your sources by identifying:

o    The chapter number and topic from the textbook, and/or o       The PowerPoint chapter used to support your response.

Citation Format (Simple – No APA Required). Use in-text citations in the following format:

•        (Textbook, Ch. 8)

•        (PPT, Ch. 9 – Sentencing Goals)

A reference list is not required.  Responses that do not cite the textbook or PowerPoints will receive a maximum of 5 out of 10 points for this section.