Each student will be required to explain both sides of a current issue within the criminal justice system. The system is comprised of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. This means you can explore anything from prisons and jails to the United States Supreme Court. Below are examples of topics that have been debated recently or had legislation changes associated with. You can pick one of them or you can come up with your own, but please make sure it is directly related with the criminal justice system. With any suggested policy change, there are proponents and opponents. You are to address both sides of the argument on the issue. You must clearly identify opposing arguments for the current issue with section headers; i.e. “Arguments for” and “Arguments against.”

Examples:

Immigration and crime

Gun control

Death penalty

Private prisons

Rehabilitation

Racial profiling

Police brutality

Legalization of marijuana (state or federal)

Defunding police

Racial disparities in sentencing