The paper will be a
research paper in which you will select a current criminal justice practice, determine an applicable
criminological theory that applies to it, and evaluate its effectiveness. Sections of the research paper
will be due throughout the semester for timely feedback. Specifically, selection of a practice,
literature review of practice, literature review of applicable theories, and a preliminary discussion.
This research paper will be approximately ten (10) pages double spaced, in Times New Roman font. Cite at least five but no more than 10 scholarly articles found in
Criminal Justice databases while researching your term paper.
The term paper should follow the below format:
I. Introduction – Introduce the topic
II. Literature Review – Present relevant literature
III. Discussion – Must be factually based on your literature review
IV. Conclusion – What you have concluded based on the facts you have reviewed.
V. References
Below is a list of CJ practices:
SQF, Boot Camp, Drug courts, DARE, POP, COP, Back End Sentencing, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, K.C. Experiment, CCTV, Legalizing Drugs, Victim Service Programs, “Stand Your Ground” Law, Probation, Parole, Community Court, Faith-Based Treatment, Operation Ceasefire, Cincinnati Initiative, Exclusionary Rule, Miranda Warning, Scared Straight, Death Penalty, Specialized DUI Court, Three Strikes, Sex Registration/Notification Laws, Plea Bargaining, Victim Compensation Program, etc.
In addition, to the CJ practice, you must attach an applicable criminological theory to the practice. Below is a list of theories but there are much more:
The Classical School
Cesare Beccaria
Criminal behavior is rational
Weighting the cost and benefits of actions
Fear of punishment is a deterrence (severity, certainty, speed)
Punish should fit the crime
CJS should be predictable (laws and punishment)
Positivist Criminology
Science could help reveal why offenders committed crimes and how they could be rehabilitated
Used science to study the body, mind, and environment
Human behavior is controlled by physical, mental, and social factors, not by free will
Considers biological, psychological, and social factors as influencing behavior
Biological: physical traits distinguish criminals from law-abiding citizens (huge jaws, high cheekbones)
Psychological: criminal behavior caused by mental condition, personality disturbance (uncontrollable impulses), or limited intellect
Sociological: criminality is not inborn but caused by external factors (poverty, poor education, bad housing, etc.)
Social structure theories
Criminal behavior is related to social class
Lower class suffers from poverty, poor education, and lack of political power
Anomie
Rules and norms that guide behavior have weakened or disappeared
Deviant behavior occur since they cannot achieve goals
Social process theories: assumes that any person, regardless of education, class, or upbringing, has the potential to become a criminal
Learning theories: people imitate and learn from one another
Differential association: behavior is learned through interactions with others, especially family members (older brother is involved)
Control theories: criminal behavior is restrained by ties to family, church, school, and peer groups
Labeling theories: Social control agencies label certain people as outside the normal, law abiding community. People come to believe it the label is true
Critical criminology: Criminal law and CJS are primarily a means of controlling the lower classes, women, and minorities
Social conflict theory: crime result of conflict in society, such as conflict between economic classes caused by the elite
Feminist theory: Ignoring or undervaluing women’s experience as offenders, victims, and people subjected to decision making by CJ officials