Imagine The Following Scenario: You Are Walking To Your Car
Imaginethe Following Scenarioyou Are Walking To Your Car In The Back
Imagine the following scenario: You are walking to your car in the back corner of an isolated parking lot. A man suddenly appears and approaches you. He has one hand in his coat pocket, and you suspect he may be armed. Is it better for you if this event happens in a state with a three-strikes law, which mandates harsh sentences for a person who commits a violent felony and who already has two previous felony convictions, or in a state without such a law? Write a 350- to 700-word paper about this scenario and question, in which you include the following: Describe the problem. Construct at least one critical thinking argument supporting one side of the issue. Construct one creative thinking argument supporting the other side of the issue. Explain the rationale for your arguments. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Select the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.
Paper For Above instruction
The scenario presented involves a potentially dangerous encounter in a secluded parking lot, where personal safety is threatened by an armed or potentially harmful individual. The core problem revolves around the broader implications of criminal justice policies—specifically, whether the presence of a three-strikes law influences the perceived safety and behavioral deterrence of violent crimes. Analyzing this situation necessitates understanding how such laws impact individual decision-making, law enforcement practices, and community safety.
The primary concern is whether harsher sentencing policies, such as three-strikes laws, effectively reduce violent incidences like armed assaults in isolated areas, or whether they might have unintended consequences that heighten risks. On one side, a critical thinking argument supports the idea that three-strikes laws serve as a deterrent, discouraging repeat offenders from engaging in violent crimes out of fear of prolonged imprisonment. This perspective relies on deterrence theory, which posits that increased penalties make wrongful acts less appealing, thereby potentially reducing encounters like the one described. For example, knowing that past violent offenses could lead to life imprisonment, a repeat offender might think twice before committing further crimes, enhancing personal and public safety in high-risk scenarios.
Conversely, a creative thinking argument emphasizes the potential drawbacks of such laws, including the risk of unjustly escalating minor offenses into severe sentences that may not effectively address the root causes of violent behavior. This argument suggests that in an environment lacking three-strikes laws, individuals may face more individualized justice, allowing for rehabilitation and community-based interventions that could ultimately reduce violence by addressing underlying social issues. From this perspective, the absence of rigid sentencing laws might foster more nuanced and flexible responses, potentially leading to better long-term safety outcomes, especially if offenders are integrated back into society through rehabilitative programs.
The rationale for supporting the deterrence argument hinges on the empirical evidence indicating that strict sentencing laws can lower crime rates by discouraging repeat offenses (Chalfin & McCrary, 2017). However, critics argue that such laws may also contribute to over-incarceration, racial disparities, and diminished focus on preventative measures. The creative argument appeals to social justice and restorative justice principles, emphasizing community involvement and tailored interventions over harsh punishments, which may promote cohesive social environments and reduce the likelihood of violent confrontations.
In conclusion, whether someone is safer in a state with or without a three-strikes law depends on the balance between deterrence and rehabilitation. While harsh laws might deter repeat offenders, they also risk inflating incarceration rates and neglecting underlying social issues. Therefore, policymakers should weigh these factors carefully when designing laws aimed at enhancing personal safety in scenarios like the one described.
References
Chalfin, A., & McCrary, J. (2017). The Effect of Three-Strikes Laws on Crime. American Law and Economics Review, 19(4), 1067–1110. https://doi.org/10.1093/aler/ahx013
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