Murder In The First: United States Criminal Justice System
Final Project: Murder in the First
Josiah Yarbrough
CCJS 100/ Introduction to Criminal Justice
March 7, 2015
Introduction The United States Criminal Justice System includes step by step processes that must be implemented when dealing with criminal arrest and prosecution. When it comes to murder cases, the criminal justice system has several steps and protocols to ensure a fair trial which upholds constitutional law and provides a guilty or innocent verdict without reasonable doubt.
Case: Murder A man, John Wolf, heard loud screaming and shouting from his neighbor Lucy Lane’s front yard which lasted for several minutes and ended in a terrifying scream. When he looked out of his window, he saw the former …show more content…
Lane, the jury would come to a guilty verdict and James Lane would be convicted of 2 counts of first degree murder. “Sentences do not depend solely on the crime of conviction. Instead, statutes prescribe a range of potential sentences for particular crimes, and judges base the particular sentence on facts in addition to the conviction itself.” (Hessick & Hessick, p. 52, 2011). Given the nature of his crimes, imprisonment/ incarceration is inevitable. Probable sentencing for James Lane would be serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole in a closed security to Maximum security prison. Such a sentencing would be a probable sentence because James Lane has a violent past, committed two violent, premeditated acts of murder and could be seen as a threat to other inmates as well. Depending on the state, Mr. Lane could also face a death penalty. With such a sentence, James Lane would face a lifetime in prison. He would experience a high level of confinement and surveillance. He would face violence from other inmates and possibly never seeing anyone from outside the prison walls for the rest of his life. An alternate sentence Mr. Lane could receive is life with the possibility of parole. This sentence could be possible if the defense were able to prove, or the prosecutor could not prove, that there was not any aggravating factors involved with the murders. …show more content…
It starts with a probable cause for a search warrant to be issued to obtain evidence in order to arrest someone, in this case, a man suspected of 2 homicides. After arrest, the defendant attends an initial hearing to find out what he is being charged with and if he will be granted bail or remain in custody. A defense attorney will also be assigned to the case at this point. The process continues to preliminary hearing where a judge decides if there is probable cause and if that is the cause, the defendant will then be formally charged and arraigned where he will give his plea and either make plea agreements, continue to sentencing or plead not guilty and move to trial. Sentencing is done after the trial if the jury unanimously comes to a guilty verdict, after which the judge will give the sentence. The criminal justice process is not perfect, but it is
Josiah Yarbrough
CCJS 100/ Introduction to Criminal Justice
March 7, 2015
Introduction The United States Criminal Justice System includes step by step processes that must be implemented when dealing with criminal arrest and prosecution. When it comes to murder cases, the criminal justice system has several steps and protocols to ensure a fair trial which upholds constitutional law and provides a guilty or innocent verdict without reasonable doubt.
Case: Murder A man, John Wolf, heard loud screaming and shouting from his neighbor Lucy Lane’s front yard which lasted for several minutes and ended in a terrifying scream. When he looked out of his window, he saw the former …show more content…
Lane, the jury would come to a guilty verdict and James Lane would be convicted of 2 counts of first degree murder. “Sentences do not depend solely on the crime of conviction. Instead, statutes prescribe a range of potential sentences for particular crimes, and judges base the particular sentence on facts in addition to the conviction itself.” (Hessick & Hessick, p. 52, 2011). Given the nature of his crimes, imprisonment/ incarceration is inevitable. Probable sentencing for James Lane would be serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole in a closed security to Maximum security prison. Such a sentencing would be a probable sentence because James Lane has a violent past, committed two violent, premeditated acts of murder and could be seen as a threat to other inmates as well. Depending on the state, Mr. Lane could also face a death penalty. With such a sentence, James Lane would face a lifetime in prison. He would experience a high level of confinement and surveillance. He would face violence from other inmates and possibly never seeing anyone from outside the prison walls for the rest of his life. An alternate sentence Mr. Lane could receive is life with the possibility of parole. This sentence could be possible if the defense were able to prove, or the prosecutor could not prove, that there was not any aggravating factors involved with the murders. …show more content…
It starts with a probable cause for a search warrant to be issued to obtain evidence in order to arrest someone, in this case, a man suspected of 2 homicides. After arrest, the defendant attends an initial hearing to find out what he is being charged with and if he will be granted bail or remain in custody. A defense attorney will also be assigned to the case at this point. The process continues to preliminary hearing where a judge decides if there is probable cause and if that is the cause, the defendant will then be formally charged and arraigned where he will give his plea and either make plea agreements, continue to sentencing or plead not guilty and move to trial. Sentencing is done after the trial if the jury unanimously comes to a guilty verdict, after which the judge will give the sentence. The criminal justice process is not perfect, but it is