Assignment 2

Assignment 2

Part 1 due:  March 17

Part 2 due: March 20

Part 1: Due: March 17

Case:

Police had information that Steven Peterman, age 45, was involved in a child pornography ring. Police worked with a female acquaintance of Peterman to arrest him. They invented a ten-year-old girl, whom the acquaintance then pretended to know. The woman indicated she would give Peterman access to the girl if he would come to her residence. Peterman arrived at the woman’s home with several photographs, characterized by police as child pornography, along with a variety of sex toys. Peterman was arrested and is now charged with attempted rape of a child.

Prosecutors: Karen A, Danny C, Sheneika D, Jairo J, Kanchan K, Tshering P

Defense lawyers: Andrew L, Anthony M, Austin P, Gelicia S, Diana S, Luis T

Prosecutors:

You have to argue that Peterman is guilty of the charges and convince the jury of his guilt. Recall the concepts of actus reus and mens rea and apply them to this case. Explain their relevance for Peterman’s guilt. Explain the notion of an attempted crime and convince the jury that Peterman is indeed guilty of attempted rape. In your conclusion, you should note the legal and moral implications of the jury’s decision to find Peterman guilty.

Make your case in about 200-250 words, and post it on our class blog as “new post” with the title “Peterman/ Prosecution”.  

Defense lawyers:

You have to argue that the charges against Peterman do not hold up and convince the jury of the defendant’s innocence (please keep in mind that you don’t have to be friends with Peterman, but that it is your sworn duty to defend your client to the best of your ability). Recall the concepts of actus reus and mens rea and apply them to this case. Explain their relevance for the fact that Peterman cannot be properly charged with this crime. Explain the notion of an attempted crime and convince the jury that Peterman cannot properly be found guilty of attempted rape. In your conclusion, you should note the legal and moral implications of the jury’s decision to find Peterman not guilty.

Make your case in about 200-250 words, and post it on our class blog as “new post” with the title “Peterman/ Defense”. 

Part 2: Due: March 20

Prosecutors:

Karen A comments on Andrew L

Danny C comments on Anthony M

Sheneika D comments on Austin P

Jairo J comments on Gelicia S

Kanchan K comments on Diana S
Tshering P comments on Luis T

Prosecutors:

Write a brief rebuttal to the defense attorney’s argument. Please post your rebuttal as comment under the post. The total word count of your rebuttal should be about 150 words.

Defenders

Andrew L comments on Danny C

Anthony M comments on Sheneika D

Austin P comments on Jairo J

Gelicia S comments on Kanchan K

Diana S comments on Karen A

Luis T comments on Tshering P

Defense lawyers:

Write a brief rebuttal to the prosecutor’s argument. Please post your rebuttal as comment under the post. The total word count of your rebuttal should be about 150 words.

  

All of you:

Feel free to comment on the rebuttal of your argument!