Presumption of innocence

Presumption of innocence

Type of service:  Academic Writing

Work type:          Research paper

Format:      APA

Pages:        2 pages ( 550 words, Double spaced

Academic level:  Undergrad. (yrs 1-2)

Discipline:  Criminal law

Title: CJUS-340 – M2: Discussion

Number of sources:     0

Paper instructions:     

1 Page initial post and 2 reply later.

M2: Discussion Post- The Presumption of innocence: Due by Wed, 2/2 by 11:55PM

The presumption of innocence is meant to ensure that 99 guilty people are acquitted before 1 innocent person is ever convicted.  With some cases, it is easy to grasp the concept that the defendant is innocent until the prosecutor proves otherwise.  However, with some cases, it’s not so simple.  When you hear of a horrific case, like the case against Casey Anthony for the murder of her little girl, it is human nature to feel as if someone is guilty and that is the end of it.   Because of that, it is very hard to pick a jury for certain cases.  This is especially true today, as so many high-profile cases are all over the media well before the case ever gets into a courtroom.  A lot of people I know were very surprised with the verdict in the Anthony case.  In the video clip you watched, a juror tries to explain why the jury reached a not guilty verdict.  Passion and emotion aside, she kept a level head in the face of very disturbing evidence.  Being a juror in any case is difficult.  Being a juror in a high-profile case in which the majority of the public has convicted the defendant before trial, it can be especially challenging.  The presumption of innocence is paramount, no matter how loudly the public and the press screams.

Find a criminal case that went to trial that was high-profile over the last couple of years – make sure it is not outdated.  It can be one you followed closely, but it doesn’t have to be.  The case should be one with facts that would be considered disturbing to a reasonable person.   The case should be one that went to trial and resulted in a verdict.  Give a synopsis of the case in your own words.  Discuss the Presumption of Innocence, and whether or not you believe the jurors followed the judges instruction that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.  Whether the defendant was found guilty or not guilty, do you agree with the verdict given the facts reported to the public that came out at trial.  Discuss why you believe the jury came to the verdict they did, and whether, given what you learned about the case, you believe you would have come to the same decision.  Explain your answers and cite your source(s) in APA format.  No exceptions – you must use APA – here is a reminder of the website that will help you with APA 7th edition but if you do not use it- and use it correctly, you will not pass your post. If you fail to respond – you will not pass the whole discussion forum rating and that does count towards your DP avg.

Additional reading/websites to review

Review the following website:  History of Cameras in Courtshttps://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/judicial-administration/cameras-courts/history-cameras-courts

Review the following: Pros v. Cons of having Cameras in the Courtroomhttps://www.unl.edu/eskridge/cj211cameras.html

Review the following: Should there be Cameras in Courtrooms?  

https://psmag.com/news/should-there-be-cameras-in-courtrooms#.bi5mkosx3

Watch the video below to hear the perspective on this issue from the point of view of 2 U.S. Supreme Court Justices: