Sentencing

Catalog description

This course studies sentencing from prosecutorial charging decisions through revocation of probation, and the complex goals and responsibilities at sentencing. CRIM 433 Sentencing (3) This course focuses on the key decision in our court system--sentencing. The course covers the historical development of sentencing both within the United States and internationally as a backdrop to the reform efforts of the late 20th Century. The course explores how sentencing has changed from a judge-based discretionary system to a system where numerous restrictions to judicial discretion have been imposed by state and federal legislatures. Students will be evaluated on two essay exams (midterm and final) with the midterm worth 20 and the final 30 percent of the grade. A research analysis paper will be required that will be completed in three stages. The first stage will be the setting forth of a research problem and a scheme for analyzing the data (10%). The second stage will be an oral presentation of the findings (20%). The final stage will be a written term paper on the project (20%). This course will be used by CLJ majors as one of the six credits of 400-level elective credits required in the major.