Analysis and Application: Explain the Steps a Criminal Defendant May Go Through in the American Criminal Justice System
The following case study presents issues related to the steps a criminal defendant may go through in the American criminal justice system from arrest through sentencing.
Case Study:
You have just been hired as a lawyer at a small criminal defense firm. On your first day, Louis Steele enters the office and asks to speak to an attorney. All of the other lawyers are at lunch so you speak to Mr. Steele. Mr. Steele states that he is worried about being arrested for an armed robbery of a gas station that occurred the night before. Mr. Steele explains the following to you after you assure him that anything he tells you will be protected under the attorney-client privilege.
Mr. Steele states that he has been out of work and owes money for gambling debts; that he was desperate for money and robbed a gas station last night located a couple of blocks from his house. Mr. Steele states that he used a BB gun but admits that it looks like a real gun. Mr. Steele took a total of $130.00 during the robbery. Mr. Steele states that he was not wearing a mask and that the attendant got a good look at his face. This morning, Mr. Steele heard that officers had stopped by his apartment looking for him. Mr. Steele tells you that the only person at the apartment this morning was his 13-year-old nephew. Mr. Steele did not know whether the 13-year-old let the police in or if the police forced themselves in, but states that the police found the BB gun he used under Mr. Steeles bed. Mr. Steele wants to know what is going to happen to him should he be arrested from arrest to sentencing. Mr. Steele has no experience with the criminal justice system and has never been arrested before.
Please prepare a PowerPoint presentation as follows:
Include a minimum of ten (10) slides (excluding cover and reference slide).
As Mr. Steeles lawyer, explain the advice you will give him both pre-arrest and post-arrest.
Identify all major steps you will take to prepare a defense for Mr. Steele , including investigation of evidence and witnesses, should Mr. Steele be arrested for a felony such as armed robbery.
Explain to Mr. Steele the pre-trial process and any motions you would file on his behalf (including your reasoning for filing these motions).
Describe to Mr. Steele his trial options.
If this case goes to trial, discuss with Mr. Steele the possible sentence he could face based upon a review of your own states criminal laws.
Define key legal terms to Mr. Steele so he has an understanding of the legal principles involved.
Cite all legal authority used in giving advice to Mr. Steele .
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1. Analysis and Application: Explain the Steps a Criminal
Defendant May Go Through in the American Criminal Justice
System
The following case study presents issues related to the steps a
criminal defendant may go through in the American criminal
justice system from arrest through sentencing.
Case Study:
You have just been hired as a lawyer at a small criminal defense
firm. On your first day, Louis Steele enters the office and asks
to speak to an attorney. All of the other lawyers are at lunch so
you speak to Mr. Steele. Mr. Steele states that he is worried
about being arrested for an armed robbery of a gas station that
occurred the night before. Mr. Steele explains the following to
you after you assure him that anything he tells you will be
protected under the attorney-client privilege.
Mr. Steele states that he has been out of work and owes money
for gambling debts; that he was desperate for money and robbed
a gas station last night located a couple of blocks from his
house. Mr. Steele states that he used a BB gun but admits that it
looks like a real gun. Mr. Steele took a total of $130.00 during
the robbery. Mr. Steele states that he was not wearing a mask
and that the attendant got a good look at his face. This morning,
Mr. Steele heard that officers had stopped by his apartment
looking for him. Mr. Steele tells you that the only person at the
apartment this morning was his 13-year-old nephew. Mr. Steele
did not know whether the 13-year-old let the police in or if the
police forced themselves in, but states that the police found the
BB gun he used under Mr. Steeles bed. Mr. Steele wants to
know what is going to happen to him should he be arrested
from arrest to sentencing. Mr. Steele has no experience with the
criminal justice system and has never been arrested before.
Please prepare a PowerPoint presentation as follows:
2. Include a minimum of ten (10) slides (excluding cover and
reference slide).
As Mr. Steeles lawyer, explain the advice you will give him
both pre-arrest and post-arrest.
Identify all major steps you will take to prepare a defense for
Mr. Steele , including investigation of evidence and witnesses,
should Mr. Steele be arrested for a felony such as armed
robbery.
Explain to Mr. Steele the pre-trial process and any motions you
would file on his behalf (including your reasoning for filing
these motions).
Describe to Mr. Steele his trial options.
If this case goes to trial, discuss with Mr. Steele the possible
sentence he could face based upon a review of your own states
criminal laws.
Define key legal terms to Mr. Steele so he has an understanding
of the legal principles involved.
Cite all legal authority used in giving advice to Mr. Steele .
