CRJ208 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice - Roesler: Criminal Justice articles, videos, websites

An Issues and Controversies article from Nov. 2013 discussing Stop and Frisk

From the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, two law professors, David Rudovsky and Lawrence Rosenthal, debate the Constitutionality of Stop and Frisk in New York City.

Short video from ABC News discussing Federal Judge's ruling that New York City's "Stop and Frisk" policy.

Short video on community policing in a resort town in Manatee County Florida

Harvard University - Kennedy School /National Institute of Justice paper from Mar. 2014 discussing how the Boston Police used Twitter to inform the public during the Boston Marathon Bombing and aftermath. Paper also addresses the use of social media by the police.

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is a component within the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to community policing. This is their overview of community policing.

The article discusses reactions and controversies surrounding restorative justice in the U.S.

Sujatha Baliga, senior program specialist, National Council on Crime and Delinquency, talks about restorative justice.
A written transcript of the interview is included.

Daniel Reisel, studies the brains of criminal psychopaths (and mice). And he asks a big question: Instead of warehousing these criminals, shouldn't we be using what we know about the brain to help them rehabilitate? Put another way: If the brain can grow new neural pathways after an injury … could we help the brain re-grow morality? A TED Talks video from Feb. 2013.

CQ Researcher Article from Nov. 2013 on Racial Profiling

Racial Profiling main page from Opposing Viewpoints database. Direct links to contrasting viewpoints, journal, magazine and newspaper articles and websites are presented on this page.

10 minute video from ABC News (May 1, 2013) discussing racial profiling in New York city.

CQ Researcher article from April 2012 on Police Misconduct

Harvard University - Kennedy School /National Institute of Justice paper from June 2011, discussing Police Discipline

25 Minute streaming video on various ethical issues facing police.

From Police Chief Magazine, October 2007.

From the National Institute of Justice: Research in Brief Bulletin, July 2001.

Prison Activist Resource Center reposting of the Oakland Police Beat, April 9, 2014.

From "Supreme Court Debates" Oct 2012

From "Supreme Court Debates" Oct. 2012

A short documentary about juveniles sentenced to life in prison without parole. Original short documentary made by Josh Sahib and Sydney Prather. The University of Alabama: Documenting Justice, 2010.

The Massachusetts Parole Board, for the first time in its history, approved Thursday the eventual release of a man convicted as a juvenile of first-degree murder, in a decision that was hailed by advocates but that outraged family and friends of the victims of a 1994 double slaying in Brockton.

Due Process, a production of Rutgers School of Law--Newark and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
"You're charged with a crime and have the right to face your accusers at trial, to be judged by a jury of your peers. Then why do fewer than 3% of defendants ever get that far?"
This program examines the plea bargain.

An Issues and Controversies article on whether the use of plea bargains should be widespread in the judicial system or should their use be curtailed.

The filmmaker Dawn Porter follows Travis Williams, a young public defender in the Deep South, who struggles against long hours, low pay and staggering caseloads to bring justice to all. NY Times Jan, 24,2013.

From: "Moyers & Company: And Justice for Some"
Moyers and Stevenson discuss the particular lack of effective counseling in the South where there are fewer systems for public defenders. Stevenson references the history of racial injustice in the South.

From: "Moyers & Company: And Justice for Some"
Stevenson points out that the accused facing an adversarial court system will often take the first plea bargain offer unaware of the future consequences. Case overload taxes public defenders resulting in their exodus.

From: "Moyers & Company: And Justice for Some"
Called upon to defend many accused in one day, public defenders lack time to adequately attend their adjudications. Stevenson notes the number of children of color in the adult justice system today.

Reposted from the law blog called "Concurring Opinions", George Washington University Professor, Daniel Solove, gives his opinion on "Professional Jurors".

An article from Altanta Magazine discusses the Georgia Innocence Project

After decades of soaring levels of homicides and drug violence, the country’s crime rate plunged dramatically over the last 25 years. What happened?

From aging to gentrification to Prozac.

Possible factors influencing low crime rates are discussed including improved police work, the aging population, dynamics of the illegal drug trade, the employment of more police, and the rise in U.S. prison populations.

The Crime Report’s Washington Bureau Chief Ted Gest discusses with criminologist Richard Rosenfeld of the University of Missouri - St. Louis factors potentially influencing the decline in U.S. crime.