Part 1
Suspect Hopkins is now being sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the robbery. The State’s Attorney has taken into consideration Keith Hopkins’ cooperation in the investigation, as well as his remorse for the victims.
In the adversarial system, both sides (prosecution and defense) represent their party’s positions before an impartial body who will attempt to determine the truth. The adversarial system also allows both parties to determine the appropriate sentencing once an individual charged with a crime is convicted.
Take the role of either the state’s attorney or the defense attorney. Make an argument of whether a life sentence is appropriate (or not) in this scenario.
Assume the role of state’s attorney or defense attorney.
Give ample support for your argument from the assumed perspective.
What are some of the other alternatives to a life sentence in prison? Are they appropriate given the violent nature of this crime?
Part 2
The chief of detectives is scheduled to present a lecture to the new class of detectives being held at the police academy, and he has asked you to prepare a memorandum for him to review.
In your memorandum, you should include the following:
How to plan for an interview or interrogation
Your discussion of planning should distinguish between planning for an interview from planning for an interrogation, as well as planning for the interview that turns into an interrogation.
Are there aspects of your plan that depend on the subject matter (e.g., a homicide vs. a kidnapping)? If so, what are they? If not, what are they?
Prior to conducting an interview or interrogation, what aspects should be anticipated?
