The Research Paper requires each student to demonstrate fundamental writing skills coupled with the ability to recognize a constitutional issue. You must write one original research paper. Do not copy the writing of another person, institution, or company purporting to utilize Artificial Intelligence. All papers submitted by students will be screened for material that is or has the appearance of a product of intellectual dishonesty. Submission of a paper written by someone else will result in a failing grade for the paper and the course. Submission of a paper with substandard writing or research skills, but appears to be an honest and original effort, is likely to receive a passing grade for both the paper and the course.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS WRITTEN BY A COMPANY OR GROUP PROMISING TO DELIVER ESSAYS OR INFORMATION THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE BY ANY INSTRUCTORS OF ANY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. All writing assignments must be delivered to online instructors in compliance with the instructions released at the time the assignment is accessible, according to the syllabus and class schedule. Each paper submitted through the Canvas online system will be examined by computerized systems and graded for authenticity. A written assignment that is deemed NOT to be authentic will receive a score of 0 and a grade of F (for failure). In the end, remember that it is better to submit your work and receive some points rather than submit a fraudulent, academically dishonest product and subject yourself to the loss of 200 points, as well as any additional consequences, that the instructor may impose.
Draft your paper using double-spaced lines, with one-inch margins, and either New Times Roman or Calibri, with 12 pt. font.
Do not include any header, cover page, or abstract, (assignments submitted in Canvas are automatically assigned to the student), however, a properly APA formatted reference page is required.
To earn full credit for the research paper students are required to fully research the constitutional issue(s) presented in the assignment. The paper must be substantive, provide details and in-depth research and analysis, and cite sources in proper APA format. The assignment is not asking for your opinion. The Assignment requires that you ask for well-reasoned, logical, and objective conclusions, based on facts and lawfully obtained evidence.
The research paper must include relevant U.S. Supreme Court cases and amendments in support of the paper’s position.
The research paper must utilize a minimum of three (3) acceptable academic sources. Acceptable academic sources include treatises, law journals, and law reviews.
You may NOT use a dictionary, blog, newspaper, online news articles; law firm/attorney websites, or Wikipedia, as a source as they are not regarded as acceptable academic sources.
If students do not follow the instructions for the assignment, the submission will have points reduced significantly. Details matter and must be read and followed “to the letter”.
The Research Paper is worth 200 points. Read the Rubric and write accordingly.
Late submissions will have points deducted no matter how good the content is. Notify me with reasons why a deadline cannot be met. Learn to submit uploaded Word documents. DO NOT submit assignments via email. NO EXCEPTIONS.
RESEARCH:
You must take a position in response to the issue presented and support your position with acceptable academic sources, and relevant U.S. Supreme Court cases (relevant lower federal court decisions may also be utilized).
Read the following fact pattern and explain:
Whether it violates the Fourth Amendment when officers abandon their duty to address a traffic violation, which justified a pretextual stop to investigate a passenger.
Facts:
On December 12, 1990, the body of Janet Crane was found lying in an alley. She had been shot in the head twice. She had been sexually assaulted. No arrest was made, and the case remained cold for more than twenty years.
In 2006, the case was reopened. State Police had preserved Crane’s garments from which DNA was extracted. A sample found on Crane’s underwear included sperm. Police discovered Roger Green had been a suspect during the initial investigation. He was later convicted of two other murders of young women in the same area and within mere weeks of Crane’s murder. It became paramount for police to obtain a sample of Green’s DNA. On August 2, 2006, Sergeant Olivia and Detective Rodrigo were tasked with procuring a sample of Green’s DNA.
Sgt. Olivia was familiar with Green because she had arrested Green for being a felon in possession of a firearm, trafficking in marijuana, and possession of a stolen vehicle. The officers surveilled the home where Green was and observed him leave the house and get into the passenger seat of a car. The car took off at a high rate of speed. The officers followed the car and initiated a traffic stop. Knowing of Green’s pending gun charge and knowing that Green was suspected of shooting someone to death, Sgt. Olivia asked Green to step out of the car for a protective pat-down. When Green put his hands upon the car for the pat-down, he took his cigar out of his mouth and placed it on the back of the car. No citation was issued to the driver, and Green returned to the passenger seat.
As the car drove off, the cigar fell on the ground, and Detective Rodrigo collected it.
The cigar was submitted for testing to compare the DNA on its tip to the DNA extracted from Crane’s garments. The results were that the odds of the sperm on Crane’s garments belonging to someone other than Green were one in one-hundred-sixty trillion.
Roger Green was indicted for first-degree rape and murder. Green has filed a motion with the court to suppress the DNA evidence obtained from his cigar as a violation of his 4th Amendment right.
Rubric
Research Paper Rubric
Research Paper Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSynthesis and Foundation of Knowledge
4 pts
Proficient
The student clearly understands the subject matter presented in the research paper. The thesis or basis of the research paper is well defined and carefully constructed. The student displays an exemplary level of attention to detail, which includes facts and concepts in a logical presentation. The reader is able to easily understand the student’s position. The student creatively builds upon the thesis without repetition and offers an exceptionally well-documented position whose statements are supported by facts.
3.4 pts
Competent
The student displays a good understanding of the subject matter presented in the research paper. The thesis or basis of the research paper is effective but the construction may make it difficult for the reader to easily understand the student’s position. The student builds upon the thesis but is somewhat repetitive and does not fully document the student’s position; however, the key issue is addressed. The student displays above average level of attention to detail, and includes adequate facts in support of the position.
3 pts
Beginning
The student displays a basic understanding of the subject matter presented in the research paper. The thesis or basis of the research paper is not fully supported throughout the paper. The reader has difficulty understanding the student’s position. The student includes a few supporting facts or statements, but the student displays an average level of attention to detail with areas of some concern in creating connections between facts and supporting statements in support of the position.
0 pts
Non-compliant
The student displays a limited understanding of the subject matter presented in the research paper. The thesis or basis of the research paper is not supported in the paper and the student overlooks critical details. The student’s position is vague or incomplete and the reader is unable to understand the student’s position. The student does not document the position with facts and does not have a logical sequence for the subject matter discussion. The research paper is not acceptable quality for upper division college level work.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication of Knowledge (Critical Thinking Skills)
4 pts
Proficient
The student displays a high level of critical thinking necessary for the approach presented in the research paper. The student draws logical conclusions from the research materials. The student presents intellectual development of the position throughout the research paper.
3.4 pts
Competent
The student displays a good level of critical thinking necessary for the approach presented in the research paper. The student displays an above average ability to draw logical conclusions throughout the research paper with 2 or fewer errors.
3 pts
Beginner
The student displays a basic level of critical thinking necessary for the approach presented in the research paper. The student has difficulty developing the position throughout the research paper. The student displays a limited ability to draw logical conclusions throughout the research paper.
0 pts
Non-compliant
The student displays only a limited approach to critical thinking but is unable to apply research and information to develop the position to a logical conclusion. The student relates confusing statements and facts in the research paper with little evidence of supporting research. The research paper is not acceptable quality for upper division college level work.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormatting
4 pts
Proficient
The student displays compliance with APA formatting. Format includes an appropriate introduction, well- developed paragraphs in support of the thesis, and an appropriate conclusion. The student demonstrates his/her ability to organize the research in a logical sequence.
3.4 pts
Competent
The student displays some compliance with APA formatting, with 2 or fewer formatting errors. The student displays an understanding of the majority of points and concepts in the research paper and demonstrates a good skill level in formatting and organizing material in the research paper.
3 pts
Beginning
The research paper has 3 or more APA formatting errors. The student displays a basic understanding of some points and concepts incorrectly. There is not a continuous pattern of logical sequencing.
0 pts
Non-compliant
The student does not comply with APA formatting. The student presents an incomplete research paper, which does not provide adequate logical sequence. The research paper is not acceptable quality for upper division college level work.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Skills
4 pts
Proficient
The student displays excellent usage of words and grammar, as well as presents the position of the research paper in a clear and concise writing style. The research paper is error-free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and has no APA citation and reference errors.
3.4 pts
Competent
The student displays above average usage of words and grammar, as well as presents an effective position in the research. The research paper is well written with fewer than 5 grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and has 2 or fewer APA citation errors.
3 pts
Beginning
The student displays basic writing skills. The student’s writing ability is average, but demonstrates a basic understanding of the subject matter; however, there are more than 5 grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. The student has 3 or more APA citation errors.
0 pts
Non-compliant
The student displays a weak writing style, which needs improvement, and includes numerous proofreading errors and/or APA citation errors. The student’s writing lacks clarity and consistency. The research paper is not acceptable quality for upper division college level work.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch Skills
4 pts
Proficient
The student displays a sophisticated thesis supported by research, which contributes significantly to the development of the overall thesis. The student incorporates the minimum mandatory 3 acceptable academic sources and appropriate required U.S. Supreme Court cases in support of the research paper.
3.4 pts
Competent
The student displays an above average thesis supported by research, but the application is narrow to the thesis of the research paper. The student incorporates only 2 acceptable academic sources and some U.S. Supreme Court cases in support of the research paper.
3 pts
Beginning
The student displays basic research skills, which provide limited application to the thesis of the research paper. The student incorporates only 1 acceptable academic source in the research paper or an insufficient number of U.S. Supreme Court cases in support of the research paper.
0 pts
Non-compliant
The student displays inadequate research skills, and fails to include relevant acceptable academic sources or appropriate U.S. Supreme Court cases in the research paper. The research paper is not acceptable quality for upper division college level work.
4 pts
Total Points: 20
