CJA 498 All Assignments CJA 498 All Assignments | Page 9

Citizens are concerned that crime is out of control in Centervale. Citizens are also disappointed
by the new legislation that created the situation for Rivers's release because the elderly female
who was victimized in the robbery was a beloved, retired, first-grade teacher in the Centervale
Elementary School. Overall, citizens are showing little support for local and state law
enforcement and are demonstrating little faith in the criminal justice system after the assault
on the elderly woman.
As an intern for the DA's office, it is part of your duty to help the DA reach out to citizens in the
community. The DA, the Chief of Police, and the Mayor have met on the issues raised by the
citizens of Centervale. The DA's office is planning a Citizen's Academy in partnership with the
Centervale Police Department.
The goal is not only to address the issues that citizens have with law enforcement and the
criminal justice system, but also to educate citizens about the obstacles and challenges that
criminal justice professionals face in trying to do the right thing for the community, while
balancing numerous variables that are out of their control
Tasks
Using in-text citations to cite all sources that are linked to a corresponding reference on a
separate page of the report, compose a 8- to 10-page report using APA format, addressing the
following:
Evaluate and discuss the totality of the situation presented here in LASA 1 and LASA 2. What
patterns and cycles can you identify that relate to patterns and cycles in the trends of the US
Criminal Justice System? Discuss a minimum of two patterns from the historical perspective to
create a foundation for the remainder of your report on the overarching issues.
Analyze and discuss the damaging effects of corruption on law enforcement by relating this
issue to the arrest of a law enforcement officer for a high-profile crime—property, violent, or
white collar. Explain how an officer's choices and behavior might affect an entire law
enforcement agency, its reputation in the community, agency funding, and other community or
criminal justice-related issues.
Discuss how the legislature defines criminal behavior and how money influences every decision
they make for the criminal justice system's daily functions. (Often, citizens have no idea of the
events going on in their state capitals until new legislation is signed into law. This was the case
in Centervale when citizens learned of Rivers's release.) Suggest a plan on how Centervale's
criminal justice professionals can help to bridge the gap between the legislature and the