Jesse James, a 20-year old, was arrested for killing a police
officer. As a newly elected prosecutor, you are responsible for
prosecuting Mr. James. You announce your decision not to seek the death
penalty in this case, but under your state’s law, the offense charged is
considered special circumstances, which would qualify as a death
penalty case. Your decision does not sit well with the law enforcement
community.
Assignment Guidelines
- Address the following in 900–1,200 words:
- List the various hearings that will typically occur and how the case is affected by each event.
- Provide
an overview of the various courts in the typical state system where Mr.
James will appear and why he is appearing there, from arraignment to
trial and the various levels of appeal. Be sure to provide specific
information as it relates to any constitutional issues that may be
raised at each stage in the process. - What are the potential
hearings that might be involved in this case? Be sure to describe them
from the time of arrest through appeal. - What are the relevant civil liberties issues pertaining to the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments present in this case?
- Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.
