What are some of the concerns that victims of sexual assault have in facing a jury?

What will be an ideal response?


Defendants usually want a jury trial because of present laws and attitudes regarding rape and because the defendant is not required to testify. However, the victim must relate a very difficult ordeal and be subjected to cross-examination that can make him or her appear to be the one on trial. Juries tend to be unsympathetic with a victim who was drinking heavily, hitchhiking or using drugs, or who left a bar with a stranger or engaged in other socially "unacceptable" actions. Some victims decide not to prosecute because of pressure from family or friends, fear of reprisal, shame, fear of going to court, or emotional or mental disturbance.

Criminal Justice

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Due process disclosure of what type of evidence must be determined and made by the prosecutor?

a. informal statements b. informal attitudes c. exculpatory information d. hearsay

Criminal Justice

The majority opinion in Illinois v. Gates (1983 ), which eliminated the two-prong test to determine the validity of a search warrant based on the information of a secret informant, found that the elements of an informant's "veracity", reliability,"or "basis of knowledge" are unimportant

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Criminal Justice

__________ ruled that officers can pat down the clothing of citizens for officer safety.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Criminal Justice

Occur(s) when an inmate is awarded early release from prison, but is supervised in the community for a specified amount of time

a. Intermediate sanctions b. Parole c. Creative sentencing d. Probation

Criminal Justice