Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice
10/13/13 3:45:12 | Graded | 92% | 36+28+14+14=92 Finally you bring all of your effort to bear on an excellent piece of analysis that demonstrated your understanding of the subject matter. |
Toni R. Rogers
Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice 1309CCJS3804025
Case Study
October 9, 2013
1. The Parole Board The principle reasons for prison overcrowding are the mandatory minimum laws passed by Congress in 1984 and the Three Strikes law passed in the state of California in 1994. Mandatory minimums were enacted in order to fight the war on drugs; however, the law has not worked in the reduction of illegal drug crimes. Beginning with the war on drugs in the 1980’s, numerous states along with the federal government enacted statues that required judges to carry out lengthy sentences on any individuals caught with various amounts of illegal drugs, no matter the circumstances. This imperative principal stance has only created a prison population on steroids in the United States. An example is the story of Brenda Valencia who is serving a 12-year sentence for giving her aunt a ride to a home not realizing that is was a house in which her aunt sold drugs. Although Brenda had no idea that a cocaine sale was taking place, a dealer working with a prosecutor to make a deal for himself for a lower sentence testified that Valencia in fact did have knowledge. The judge that passed the sentence did not agree with the 12-year prison term and stated, “This case is a perfect example of why the minimum mandatory sentences and the sentencing guidelines are not only absurd, but an insult to justice” ("Families against Mandatory Minimums", n.d.). Attorney General Eric Holder stated, “Too many Americans go to too many prisons for far too long, and for no good law enforcement reason”. He added that the strong enforcement of federal crime laws is essential, but prosecuting and incarcerating our way to develop a safer country is not the
Toni R. Rogers
Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice 1309CCJS3804025
Case Study
October 9, 2013
1. The Parole Board The principle reasons for prison overcrowding are the mandatory minimum laws passed by Congress in 1984 and the Three Strikes law passed in the state of California in 1994. Mandatory minimums were enacted in order to fight the war on drugs; however, the law has not worked in the reduction of illegal drug crimes. Beginning with the war on drugs in the 1980’s, numerous states along with the federal government enacted statues that required judges to carry out lengthy sentences on any individuals caught with various amounts of illegal drugs, no matter the circumstances. This imperative principal stance has only created a prison population on steroids in the United States. An example is the story of Brenda Valencia who is serving a 12-year sentence for giving her aunt a ride to a home not realizing that is was a house in which her aunt sold drugs. Although Brenda had no idea that a cocaine sale was taking place, a dealer working with a prosecutor to make a deal for himself for a lower sentence testified that Valencia in fact did have knowledge. The judge that passed the sentence did not agree with the 12-year prison term and stated, “This case is a perfect example of why the minimum mandatory sentences and the sentencing guidelines are not only absurd, but an insult to justice” ("Families against Mandatory Minimums", n.d.). Attorney General Eric Holder stated, “Too many Americans go to too many prisons for far too long, and for no good law enforcement reason”. He added that the strong enforcement of federal crime laws is essential, but prosecuting and incarcerating our way to develop a safer country is not the