Assingments % - Criminal Behavior and Judicial Outcomes: A Criminological Analysis

The paper should be at least 5 pages long (Not including the reference page) double-spaced and
should include:
1. SUMMARY: (worth 30 points)
A summary of the criminal and his/her crime(s)
2. APPLICABLE OBSERVATIONS/THEORIES: (worth 30 points)
A discussion of the:
precipitating factors of the crime(s) committed (including nature/nurture issues)
surrounding characteristics of the crime (organized, disorganized, MO, signature, etc.),
criminal’s ability to commit the crime using at least two of the specific theoretical approaches
discussed during the semester. (FOR EXAMPLE: Just World Hypothesis, Eysenck’s approach,
Frustration/Aggression Hypothesis, Somatotyping, etc.) *NOTE: Diagnoses are NOT Theories
3. JUDICIAL OUTCOME: (worth 30 points)
Finally, any information concerning the outcome of the crime and how it relates to any of the
various potential judicial results discussed during the semester (what defense was chosen and
whether it was successful or not, in no defense, what happened instead).
4. Please label each section above in your paper.
5. Overall organization, grammar, presentations (worth 10 points

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring Your Paper

Understand the Assignment Requirements
Before you begin, make sure you fully understand the structure of the assignment:
- You need to provide applicable observations/theories related to the crime(s) and criminal behavior.
- You must also discuss the judicial outcome of the crime, explaining the defense and any relevant judicial results.
Create a Brief Outline
Organize your paper into clear sections:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the crime you are discussing and provide a preview of the theories and judicial outcome you’ll be addressing.
- Applicable Observations/Theories: This section will cover the factors leading to the crime and relevant criminological theories.
- Judicial Outcome: Discuss the outcome of the crime and any defenses used or judicial decisions made.
- Conclusion: Summarize your analysis and discuss any broader implications.

1. Applicable Observations/Theories (30 points)

In this section, you will provide a detailed discussion of the crime(s) and explain the relevant theoretical approaches. Here’s how to structure it:

A. Precipitating Factors of the Crime(s)

Identify the precipitating factors that led to the crime. Were there specific triggers or influences (e.g., stress, financial hardship, trauma)?
Discuss nature vs. nurture: Was the criminal’s behavior more influenced by inherent biological factors (nature), or was it shaped by their environment and upbringing (nurture)?
Example: “The individual’s history of abuse (nurture) combined with a biological predisposition for aggression (nature) contributed to the criminal behavior.”

B. Characteristics of the Crime

Discuss whether the crime is organized or disorganized.
MO (Modus Operandi): Explain how the criminal carried out the crime.
Signature: Did the criminal leave a particular mark or pattern?
Example: “The crime was highly organized, with clear planning and execution, suggesting a methodical and premeditated approach.”

C. Theoretical Approaches

Select at least two criminological theories discussed during the semester to analyze the criminal’s behavior.
Examples of theories you could use:
- Just World Hypothesis: Did the criminal believe they were justified in their actions because of their perceptions of fairness or justice?
- Eysenck’s Approach: Did the criminal display traits of extraversion, neuroticism, or psychoticism, which could have contributed to their behavior?
- Frustration/Aggression Hypothesis: Was the criminal’s aggressive behavior a result of frustration or unmet needs?
- Somatotyping: Did the criminal’s body type or physical traits align with the theory that certain body types are more likely to commit crimes?
Example: “Using Eysenck’s theory, the criminal exhibited high levels of neuroticism, which may have contributed to their impulsive actions.”

2. Judicial Outcome (30 points)

This section addresses what happened in court, including the defense and any judicial outcomes. Here’s how to approach it:

A. Judicial Outcome

Discuss the defense used in the case. Was it a common defense (e.g., insanity, self-defense, duress)?
If no defense was used, explain how the case proceeded without it and what the final verdict was.
Example: “The defendant’s lawyer invoked an insanity defense, claiming that the defendant could not appreciate the wrongfulness of their actions due to mental illness.”

B. Connection to Theories

Relate the judicial outcome to the criminological theories you discussed earlier. Did the court consider the criminal’s psychological or environmental factors in the final judgment?
Example: “The court’s acceptance of the insanity defense can be linked to Eysenck’s theory, as the defendant’s neurotic tendencies and lack of impulse control were factors in the case.”

3. Conclusion: Summarize Your Analysis

In your conclusion, briefly recap the theories and the judicial outcome discussed in the paper. You can also offer a reflection on how criminological theories help us understand the connection between criminal behavior and judicial outcomes.
Example: “In conclusion, the criminal’s actions were shaped by both environmental and biological factors, as suggested by Eysenck’s theory, which may have influenced the judicial decision to accept the insanity defense.”

4. Proofreading and Revisions

Once you have written your paper:

Organize: Ensure that the paper is clearly divided into the sections required (Applicable Observations/Theories, Judicial Outcome, and Conclusion).
Grammar: Proofread your paper for grammar and spelling errors to make sure your writing is polished and professional.
Presentation: Ensure your paper follows any formatting guidelines provided by your instructor (font, spacing, citations, etc.).