Discretion In Criminal Justice Courtroom Workgroup Simulation

Running head: PROBLEM SOLVING AND ACTION
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Problem Solving and Action
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Problem Solving and Action
This paper going to be coving the materials we went over in the You make the Call: Discretion in Criminal Justice Courtroom Workgroup simulation. You are the new assistance prosecutor for the DA Office. You are faced with problem solving and what action are taking to the choices you make in your new position as the assistance prosecutor. In this paper it will describe the problem you faced in the simulation. Also this paper will explain the approaches used for resolving the problem. Last it will discuss how critical or creative thinking skills were used or not used in the simulation.
The first case that was handed down in the simulation was a guy named Mr. Baxter that was arrested for DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to provide Proof of Insurance, Text Messaging while Driving, and Not Wearing a Seatbelt while Driving. DUI is Driving Under the Influence. Mr. Baxter took some medication that was prescribed to him by his Doctor. Mr. Baxter failed to read the prescription bottle that said you are not supposed to operator machinery while taking the prescription medicine. Mr. Baxter
attorney Ms. Spencer wants the DA Office to drop the charges of DUI and Reckless driving to a lesser charge. Ms. Spencer come to the DA Office with four option. The problem you are faced is which of the following options do you choose. Option One would be accepting plea offer of guilty plea for civil infractions only. They would pretty much just pay a fine and do some community service. Option 2 would be to propose counter offer. Mr. Baxter plead guilty to reckless driving. It would dismiss the DUI charge. Mr. Baxter would pay a fine and could have his license suspended up to thirty days. Then there the third option. It would propose counter off of pledging guilty to DUI and texting. All the other charges would be dismissed. There would still be no jail time for Mr. Baxter. Then there is the last option. Option four would be go to trial. Going to trial would reject any of the plea agreement. This meaning that Mr. Baxter would go to trail to fight his case.
There were many approaches used for resolving the problem.
You want to look at Mr. Baxter past. You want to see if he has any past criminal charges. Also look at his driving record. For Mr. Baxter he had a clean background. He had never been arrested or had anything in driving record. That was a big factor on deciding to not take this to trail and take one of the plea bargain. Taking Mr. Baxter to trail could be very costly on everyone. Taking the one of the plea bargain you can go ahead and get this over with for Mr. Baxter. Mr. Baxter did not take the pills and drive his vehicle knowing he would be impaired. He just did not read the bottle the pills came in. Also Mr. Baxter did not hurt anyone while driving his vehicle while under the
influence.
There were some critical thinking skills used in this assignment. You have to really use your critical thinking skills to decide what you should charge Mr. Baxter with. There is a lot to factor in on cases. You make the wrong decision you can mess a man future up.
You will use problem solving skills all through your career. It does not matter if you are a law enforcement officer or assistance District Attorney. Just like this assignment your problem solving came into effect when you had to decide which option to go with for Mr. Baxter.