Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice – Chapter 11 Courts and Multiculturalism

Required book: McNamara, R. H., & Burns, R. (2009). Multiculturalism in the criminal justice system. NewYork, NY: McGraw-Hill. (ISBN: 978-0-07-337994-4)

Please read Chapter 11 and respond to the following Critical Thinking Questions. You will also respond to 2 of your peers:

Identify and discuss the steps of a trial. Which step do you believe involves the greatest area of controversy with regard to discrimination? Why? Identify how judicial, prosecutorial, and defense attorney discretion influences the outcome of court cases. How are jurors selected? Does this process seem fair to you? Discuss why or why not? Are racial and ethnic minorities adequately represented among the courtroom personnel? If not, what steps could be taken to diversify the courts?

The first deadline for posting is Tuesday October 27th by 11:59 pm and the second deadline for responding to your classmates is Thursday (October 29th) afternoon by 12 pm. When responding to a student's post, be sure to use and address the following:

Terms and Definitions from the chapter

Adjudicatory process

alibi

arraignment

assigned counsel

challenge for cause

Discovery

Federal Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968

Grand jury hearing

Harmless error doctrine

Indictment

Initial Appearance

Jury Nullification

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

Nolo contendere

Peremptory Challenge

Plea bargaining

Public Defenders

Symbolic representation

"Three strikes and you're out" sentencing

Venire

Your responses should reach beyond a simple "I agree with what you are saying." Please use the following to begin your post when responding to your peers:

"I learned from you that.."

"I appreciated how you explained...."