Harvey's brother has just been convicted of a felony. Harvey asks his friend, an attorney, what he thinks the sentence will be. Harvey's friend says, "Who knows? Sentencing is an insider's game." Explain what Harvey's friend means by this and give examples of how this works.
What will be an ideal response?
Varies, but should clearly explain that sentencing is an insider's game because very few people, just those with inside information and who deal with it daily, actually understand how the process works. Prosecutors exert a huge influence on sentencing policies, because elected officials assume that the prosecutors are experts in the process. The expertise of the defense bar is sometimes dismissed because it is presumed to be a biased advocacy role. The role of corrections officials as experts in sentencing has diminished over time. Sentencing, like most other aspects of criminal justice policy, has become increasingly politicized. It is common that, after a horrific crime is committed by a formerly convicted person, elected officials will rail against the leniency or unfairness of the sentencing process, which may have been, in fact, carried out to the letter of the law.
You might also like to view...
A one-person lineup occurring shortly after a crime is known as a(n)_______
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
What is a Drug Court?
What will be an ideal response?
Bellah's model of "social science as public philosophy" is reflected in which of the following statements? Social scientists should:
a. Maintain a rigid distinction between facts and values b. Admit values only into the formulation of research problems c. Focus explicit attention on achieving a more just society d. Reinterpret the role of political figures as in part being social scientists
According the Supreme Court, defense counsel, even that provided by the court must be not only available but effective.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)