Hemmens, C., Brody, D. C., & Spohn, C. (2017). Criminal courts: A contemporary perspective (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Chapter 9, “Criminal Defendants and Crime Victims” (pp. 251–278)Hemmens, C., Brody, D. C., & Spohn, C. (2016). Criminal Courts: A Contemporary Perspective. Copyright 2016 by Sage Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc., via the Copyright Clearance Center.   

Hemmens, C., Brody, D. C., & Spohn, C. (2017). Criminal courts: A contemporary perspective (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Chapter 10, “The Jury” (pp. 279–306)Hemmens, C., Brody, D. C., & Spohn, C. (2016). Criminal Courts: A Contemporary Perspective. Copyright 2016 by Sage Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc., via the Copyright Clearance Center.   

Austen, B. (2018, November 4). On the inside. New York Times Magazine, 42–47, 64–65.

Discussion: Ethics, Accountability, and Citizen Roles

Recall a recent election ballot: Did you know the names or positions of the judges on it? Did many of them run unopposed?

Citizens elect judges and district attorneys. Those individuals have political party affiliations and run on specific platforms, and thus are answerable to the electorate. Meanwhile, defense attorneys for offenders with less means are often appointed, having no prior relationship or knowledge with a client. Imagine being the accused in a complicated case and feeling like your constitutionally guaranteed advocate may seem to be “punching a ticket” with your case. Now, imagine that you are a citizen called to jury duty. Or imagine that you were witness to a crime but refuse to testify. What is your motivation for engaging with the judicial system?

In this Discussion, you examine the role of ethical conduct from many perspectives, including the one perspective everyone shares, even if they work in the criminal justice system: the citizen.

By Day 3

Post a response to the following:

• Who has the greatest responsibility for ethical conduct in the judicial system?
• What is the role of citizens, both in terms of their own actions and in terms of accountability?
  • Consider citizen roles to include cooperation, reporting, being a witness, jury duty, and/or elections.

By Day 5

Respond to two colleagues:

• Choose a response that is different from your own.
• Explain how your colleague’s position has changed your perception or understanding.