Assignment 1: Impact of Constitutional Amendments
Successful prosecution of a case depends on the legality and admissibility of the evidence gathered by the investigator. Statements obtained during interviews and interrogations are part of the information that helps prepare and present a case in court. Therefore as an investigator it is important for you to fully understand the tenets of the Fourth Fifth Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the US Constitution. Evidence that adheres to the legal guidelines detailed in these constitutional amendments is admissible in court.
An investigator plays an important role in building a case for trial. With that role comes an important responsibility to ensure he or she has obtained a confession from the actual perpetrator of the crime. There are many reasons people confess to crimes they have not committed. Extensive investigative rigor must be exercised in order to make sure that cases containing false confessions are not prosecuted. On many occasions there is pressure from the public superiors and the media to make an arrest in a case. An investigator who succumbs to these pressures is acting negligently.
Tasks:
Review the following article on the Central Park jogger rape case:http://writ.news.findlaw.com/cassel/20021217.html
Submission Details:
Discussion Grading Criteria and Rubric
All discussion assignments in this course will be graded using a rubric. This assignment is worth 40 points. Download the discussion rubric and carefully read it to understand the expectations.