sociology current event paper
Bradley Edwards
SOCI111 B007 Sum 11
Sociology and Crime
Professor Lori Kelley
Sociology and Crime
Current Crime:
In recent news titled, “Columbia Student to be Sentenced to 6 Months over Drug Ring”, the reporter John Eligon has unveiled the story of a Columbia University student. The news which has been published in the New York Times site reveals the case of Harrison David, who has been sentenced for selling cocaine in the university premises. This news is the example of the crime in the society.
Brief Summary: The student named Harrison David, who studied in the Columbia University used to sell cocaine and he is said to have formed a gang which includes some other students. Four other students have also been suspected in this connection and they have pending charges on them. David who is the main culprit had been sentenced six years jail and after end of his term he will have to serve for five years probation. The main charge on David includes the keeping of second degree banned drug. As per law he should be sentenced for ten years but since he is studying and the plea included the third degree sale of drug, so he may get a minimum sentence. David also admitted that he has sold the drug to an undercover officer. David’s lawyer requested for a minimum punishment as he was a student and his career was at stake. The lawyer also said that he will try to get a relief certificate from the judge.
Analysis:
The given case is an example of the juvenile delinquency. The case has many sociological concepts linked to it and on the basis of these concepts the case can be analyzed as follows:
1. Social stratification: The stratification is the categorization of various people in the society. This concept can be applied here as the negative factor, David has his own lawyer and it means he belongs to a rich family. So, in this case we see that the social stratification gives rise to a discrimination in the criminal justice system also. As if it had been some other
SOCI111 B007 Sum 11
Sociology and Crime
Professor Lori Kelley
Sociology and Crime
Current Crime:
In recent news titled, “Columbia Student to be Sentenced to 6 Months over Drug Ring”, the reporter John Eligon has unveiled the story of a Columbia University student. The news which has been published in the New York Times site reveals the case of Harrison David, who has been sentenced for selling cocaine in the university premises. This news is the example of the crime in the society.
Brief Summary: The student named Harrison David, who studied in the Columbia University used to sell cocaine and he is said to have formed a gang which includes some other students. Four other students have also been suspected in this connection and they have pending charges on them. David who is the main culprit had been sentenced six years jail and after end of his term he will have to serve for five years probation. The main charge on David includes the keeping of second degree banned drug. As per law he should be sentenced for ten years but since he is studying and the plea included the third degree sale of drug, so he may get a minimum sentence. David also admitted that he has sold the drug to an undercover officer. David’s lawyer requested for a minimum punishment as he was a student and his career was at stake. The lawyer also said that he will try to get a relief certificate from the judge.
Analysis:
The given case is an example of the juvenile delinquency. The case has many sociological concepts linked to it and on the basis of these concepts the case can be analyzed as follows:
1. Social stratification: The stratification is the categorization of various people in the society. This concept can be applied here as the negative factor, David has his own lawyer and it means he belongs to a rich family. So, in this case we see that the social stratification gives rise to a discrimination in the criminal justice system also. As if it had been some other
References: Eligon, J. (2011). Columbia Student to Be Sentenced to 6 Months Over Drug Ring. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/19/columbia-student-to-face-6-months-in-jail-over-drug-ring/?ref=crimeandcriminals.