CJ 4310 Final

“Rogue” prosecutors have the right to refuse to prosecute crimes of their choosing

PRO

-People may plead guilty to avoid risk leading to fear of trial and longer sentences

-Prosecutors punish poor people unable to pay

“Rogue” prosecutors have the right to refuse to prosecute crimes of their choosing

CON

-Disrupts the separation of powers, making the branches unequal

-Supports releasing defendants with minimal/no bail

Game wardens should have to follow the same trespassing restrictions that other law enforcement officers must follow

PRO

-Game wardens can invade your privacy

Game wardens should have to follow the same trespassing restrictions that other law enforcement officers must follow.

CON

-Game wardens must protect animals and natural resources, even if they trespass, so they must go wherever they may stray

-Open field doctrine permits game wardens to access open fields not attached to personal dwellings

The state of Texas should ban discrimination by police agencies against employing persons with visible tattoos or body piercings

PRO

-Tattoos are no longer seen as unprofessional

-Few want policing, so don't limit the hiring pool

The state of Texas should ban discrimination by police agencies against employing persons with visible tattoos or body piercings

CON

-Tattoo confusion can create problems on the street with citizens

-Still seen as unprofessional

All cities with a population of more than 25,000 in Texas should be required to use two-person patrol cars instead of one-person cars

PRO

-Safer for police

-Provide better quality service

All cities with a population of more than 25,000 in Texas should be required to use two-person patrol cars instead of one-person cars

CON

-Double officer for the same coverage

-Higher concentration of officers in poor neighborhoods

Texas should discontinue all its private prison contracts and use only facilities staffed by state employees

PRO

-Does not control overcrowding

-Unnecessary and wasteful, all the functions that are offered by private prisons are already being provided by local state prisons.

Texas should discontinue all its private prison contracts and use only facilities staffed by state employees

CON

-Help control overpopulation in public prisons

-Level of violence is low compared to state prisons

Federal judges should have to be reappointed every 5 years

PRO

-Regularizing appointments would better represent the public

-Eliminate strategic retirement for political reasons

Federal judges should have to be reappointed every 5 years

CON

-Judges wouldn't need political schedules, no worrying about re-election

-More knowledge of the laws

Texas should permit chemical castration as a sentencing option for convicted sex offenders

PRO

-Cost efficient

-Lower testosterone levels = less aggressions and sex drive

Texas should permit chemical castration as a sentencing option for convicted sex offenders

CON

-Not enough research

-Ethical issues

Texas should mandate all Texas cities with a population of more than 25,000 to require sworn officers to have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Current officers without degrees will have up to 6 years to complete a degree, or they must resign

PRO

-Law enforcement becomes professionalized

-More opportunities for career advancement

Texas should mandate all Texas cities with a population of more than 25,000 to require sworn officers to have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Current officers without degrees will have up to 6 years to complete a degree, or they must resign

CON

-Shortage of POC in the force due to social economic status

-Not everyone can afford college

The Chicago Police Department should enforce nighttime curfews for juveniles and for adults to reduce the number of shootings in that city

PRO

-More people out = more crime victims

-Chicago's highest shooting rates occur after hours per UCR

The Chicago Police Department should enforce nighttime curfews for juveniles and for adults to reduce the number of shootings in that city

CON

-Unpractical to enforce

-No data to show decrease in crime

Police reports and autopsy reports in all in-custody deaths, such as officer-involved shootings, should be public information

PRO

-Keeps officers accountable

-Brings attention/tips to cases

Police reports and autopsy reports in all in-custody deaths, such as officer-involved shootings, should be public information

CON

-Risks integrity of investigation

-Puts officer at risk of harassment

Texas should require all peace officers to wear and use body cameras while on duty

PRO

-Captures officer misconduct

-Transparency

Texas should require all peace officers to wear and use body cameras while on duty

CON

-Invasion of officer's privacy

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The prison system should be abolished

PRO

-Prison system is expensive

-Public health consequences

The prison system should be abolished

CON

-Dangerous for the public

-No deterrence for future crimes

Marijuana should be legalized in Texas

PRO

-More state revenue

-More jobs

Marijuana should be legalized in Texas

CON

-Increase black market of other drugs

-DUI/DWI cases would increase

All elementary and secondary schools in Texas should be required to conduct yearly active shooter drills

PRO

-Will save lives

-Emergency operation plans must be rehearsed and applied

All elementary and secondary schools in Texas should be required to conduct yearly active shooter drills

CON

-Cause stress and anxiety

-Shootings are too rare to take away time from regular school activities

All drugs should be decriminalized across the country

PRO

-Reduce arrest and incarceration rates

-Improve cost-effectiveness of limited public health resources

All drugs should be decriminalized across the country

CON

-Increase in addiction rates and diseases

-Increase supply of drugs in black market

Cities in Texas with a population of more than 25,000 should be required to provide emergency mental health care services

PRO

-Law enforcement not trained to properly handle mental health concerns

-Paves the way for better treatment on people with mental health concerns

Cities in Texas with a population of more than 25,000 should be required to provide emergency mental health care services

CON

-Cost of mental health care services are too expensive to fund

-Most people don't seek mental health care or are unaware of their own mental health problems

Police officers should not be first responders to calls of emotionally or mentally disturbed subjects

PRO

-Unable to deescalate situations

-Officers will only detain the mentally ill rather than help them

Police officers should not be first responders to calls of emotionally or mentally disturbed subjects

CON

-Law enforcement has quicker response time

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Active shooting training should be mandated for all police officers in Texas

PRO

-Construct an academy for intensive training of recruits by senior officers

-Funding VR-training enables officers to react and adapt to active shootings quickly, with the right actions

Active shooting training should be mandated for all police officers in Texas

CON

-Officers might act aggressive outside of active shooter situations

-Costs too much to fund