Reference no: EM131614384

Absolutely no plagiarism !!! Must be in your OWN words. Must have a reference page. Paper will be verified for plagiarism and reported if plagiarized.

You are the victim of a crime. After picking up your two small children from school, you notice that some things are out of place within your home. All in all, your laptop, digital camera, and family heirlooms are missing. The living room and office have been completely ransacked. (In your panic, you do not hear the backdoor to your home open and close. The thief has just left your home). You immediately call the police and file a report. Over the next two weeks, you worry about the safety of your family. Your children have nightmares. You worry that you may never see your stolen possessions again, including the digital camera that had hundreds and hundreds of pictures still on it.
After two weeks, the police call to inform you that they have the man who broke into your house. His identitywas confirmed with surveillance footage from your neighbor's security system. The man is Joe Smith, a 32 year old, Caucasian man, who was found by police after he attempted to buy cigarettes from a carry-out down the street using stolen antique coins. When confronted by police, Joe barricaded himself in his one bedroom apartment. The police had to kick down the door. They found Joe hiding in a closet with a semi-automatic shotgun. It appears that Joe is a heroin addict who is supporting his habit by breaking into homes in the nearby neighborhoods. He has one prior conviction for drug possession, in which he served 12 months of probation. He is not well educated nor does he have a job.

Joe quickly pleads guilty to breaking and entering into your house. There are additional charges for the altercation with police and for possessing a stolen firearm. Before Joe is sentenced, the probation department contacts you to give a statement for Joe's presentence report. Upon meeting with the probation officer, you are informed that Joe was still in the house at the time you returned home with your family. He was in close proximity to your children and you. This makes the victimization all that more traumatizing and real. The probation officer asks what you would like to happen to Joe. While you hold a degree in criminal justice, and understand the benefits of intermediate sanctions and treatment for offenders like Joe, you cannot help but want Joe to be punished to the fullest.

With this scenario in mind, write 2-4 pages (double spaced) making a case for what should happen to Joe. Should he be sent to prison? Should he be sentenced to diversion, probation, or another intermediate sanction (discussed in chapter 5)? What sentencing goal do you think applies to Joe's case? Why should the judge take your statement into consideration? These are just some of the items you should think about. While there is no right or wrong answer, ground your discussion with what we have talked about in class and you have read in the textbook so far. If you think prison is the best option, spend a little time discussing why some of the intermediate sanctions presented in chapter 5 should not apply to Joe. Use citations when using material from the textbook, class, or any other sources you find useful. While outside sources are not required, you may find it necessary to incorporate one to two additional sources in order to strengthen your argument. Please do not simply quote your sources, really attempt to paraphrase or put them into your own words. This assignment is worth 25 points. Grades will be based on the following criteria: a) grammar and mechanics; b) strength of argument; and c) use of applicable materials. Use 12 point Times font, and 1 inch margins.