you must add in-text citations to support your answer. In-text citations must include the author’s name(s) and the year the article was published. For example, if you discuss Albonetti’s article from week 3, you need to add the following at the end of the sentence: (Albonetti, 1987). Any time you write “research has shown…”, “this study finds…”, etc., you need to provide a citation. Since the purpose of the exam is to test yourknowledge and understanding of the course material, quoted language should be used very sparingly throughout your answers, if at all. In addition, recall that plagiarism includes directly copying a source without citing the original, and paraphrasing a source without acknowledging the original source. Plagiarized answers will result in a lower grade and, depending on the extent, may result in a failing grade.
Question one – Provide an overview of the following theories: 1) the focal concerns perspective (Steffensmeier, Ulmer, & Kramer, 1998), and 2) the organizational context perspective (Dixon, 1995). How are these theories similar, and how are they different? Do research findings support these theories? Which theory best describes judicial sentencing decisions?
Question two- Which theoretical perspectives have been useful for understanding prosecutorial decision-making? What does empirical research tell us about the factors that influence prosecutor discretion and decision-making? What kind of research is needed to gain a better understanding of prosecutorial decision-making? (Use Albonetti 1987) for this question
