TOPIC1
Discussion topics support this unit’s objective and should be completed after reading all materials. Your responses ought to include original evaluation, synthesis, or analysis of the topic, and contribute to the weekly discussion in a meaningful way. You must complete all discussion topics and reply to your peers’ posts. Refer to the Discussion Board Rubric under Course Resources for additional requirements.
Discussion Topic: Fourth Amendment and Search and Seizure
Discuss the way in which Chimel v. California (1969) defined what officers may search, when they may search, and why. Why are such directives necessary and how do they help individual suspects but may hinder police activity? How else might search parameters be defined?
TOPIC2
Complete the Unit 7 Assignment: How does Search and Seizure relate to the B.I.G. case?
The ability to think critically is a key skill for success in the criminal justice field. It means not taking what you heard or read at face value, but using your critical thinking faculties to weigh up the evidence, and consider the implications and conclusions of the situation.
Resource: Chapter 10: “Pretrial Activities and the Criminal Trial.”
Watch the video of a Mock Trial Flow to understand how a mock trial is conducted and follow this criteria in creating the trial for the assignment.
Reference: Texas Y&G Training Videos (Producer). (2014, October 9). Example mock trial flow. Podcast retrieved from
Review the details of the B.I.G. Case.
Compile the facts and witness information for this case.
Decide which witnesses could support the prosecution’s case and which witnesses would support the defense’s case. How does Search and Seizure relate to the B.I.G. case?
Review the following resources:
Library Article
Sullivan, R. (2005). The unsolved mystery of the notorious B.I.G. Rolling Stone 989, 124.
Other Resources
Connecting the Dots: Frontline.
FBI reveals documents in Biggie Smalls death probe. CNN.com
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 1 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault.
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 2 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault.
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 3 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault.
References
Connecting the Dots: Frontline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd…
Duke, A. (2011, Apr). FBI reveals documents in Biggie Smalls death probe. CNN.com. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/04/08/biggie.smalls….
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 1 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault. Retrieved from https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Sm…
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 2 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault. Retrieved from https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Sm…
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 3 of 3: FBI Records: The Vault. Retrieved from https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Sm…
Write a 350–700 word essay describing the trial process. Include the following in your essay:
- A description of the trial process
- Examples of opening and closing statements
- The types of questions asked on direct examination
- Highlight important points for cross-examination