Define written-letter of the law in making their decisions

Assignment Help Management Theories

Reference no: EM131470238

Question: On July 5, 1884, Dudley, Stephens, and Brooks-"all able-bodied English seamen"- and a teenaged English boy were cast adrift in a lifeboat following a storm at sea. They had no water with them in the boat, and all they had for sustenance were two one-pound tins of turnips. On July 24, Dudley proposed that one of the four in the lifeboat be sacrificed to save the others. Stephens agreed with Dudley, but Brooks refused to consent-and the boy was never asked for his opinion. On July 25, Dudley killed the boy, and the three men then fed on the boy's body and blood. Four days later, the men were rescued by a passing vessel. They were taken to England and tried for the murder of the boy. If the men had not fed on the boy's body, they would probably have died of starvation within the four-day period. The boy, who was in a much weaker condition, would likely have died before the rest. [Regina v. Dudley and Stephens, 14 Q.B.D. (Queen's Bench Division, England) 273 (1884)]

1. The basic question in this case is whether the survivors should be subject to penalties under English criminal law, given the men's unusual circumstances. You be the judge and decide the issue. Give the reasons for your decision.

2. Should judges ever have the power to look beyond the written "letter of the law" in making their decisions? Why or why not?

Reference no: EM131470238

Questions Cloud

Who is able to benefit from the given information and how : What level of government provides information and resources for the issue that you have selected? Who is able to benefit from this information and how?

Proactively addressing today cyberthreats : Research one publicized cyber breach from the last year. Describe what happened, the impact, and what could have been done to prevent the breach.

Typical syntax errors commonly found in dfd : Identify three typical syntax errors commonly found in DFDs.

The types of work professionals in specialty areas : Write a report FOR EACH SPECIALTY based on your findings that includes the seven elements listed below. There is no page number minimum for Report Module assign

Define written-letter of the law in making their decisions : On July 5, 1884, Dudley, Stephens, and Brooks-"all able-bodied English seamen"- and a teenaged English boy were cast adrift in a lifeboat following a storm at s

Summarizes the algorithms and provides the best road-map : You are free to format your summary according to what you think best summarizes the algorithms and provides the best road-map for algorithm selection

What argument could beth use to counter johns reasoning : John's company is involved in a lawsuit with a customer, Beth. John argues that for fifty years, in cases involving circumstances similar to those in this case.

How are courts applying traditional jurisdictional concepts : What is judicial review? How and when was the power of judicial review established?

Review the research proposal synopses : Review the five research proposal synopses and decide whether to approve or reject the submission based on ethical research practices and standards.

User Account

All Pages