For your course paper, you will write a five to seven-page paper on any major topic covered in this course (i.e., ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, false informant testimony, CSI effect, etc.
Papers should be typed and double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Please spell-check and proofread your papers thoroughly. Use the outline delineated below to organize your paper. In every section of your paper, your ideas should be substantiated with quoted information from the course readings or outside sources.
I. Assignment Objective
The objective of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of miscarriage of justice by examining one particular topic, such as prosecutorial conduct, in its various forms, its implications for the criminal justice system, and the strategies for addressing and preventing it.
II. Assignment Details
A. Begin by conducting thorough research on the topic. Utilize reputable sources, including news articles, academic journals, news reports, and class materials to gather information.
B. Identify and familiarize yourself with different aspects of your topic. For example, if you choose prosecutorial misconduct, you would consider sub-issues such as withholding exculpatory evidence; making improper statements to the jury; engaging in discriminatory practices during jury selection; offering inducements to witnesses; committing Brady violations (failure to disclose favorable evidence to the defense); and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
C. Reflect on the ethical implications of your topic. Consider how it undermines the principles of fairness, justice, and the presumption of innocence. Examine the consequences, including wrongful convictions, erosion of public trust, and the perpetuation of systemic inequalities.
D. Explore potential solutions and preventive measures to address the problem.
E. Write a conclusion. You should summarize the key points of your paper and provide a succinct but impactful closing statement.
