One of our early topics deals with the sources of criminal law. Criminal laws originate through the legislative process
One of our early topics deals with the sources of criminal law. Criminal laws originate through the legislative process, which is active annually in legislative sessions throughout the country. Go to the Missouri General Assembly site.
This site will allow you to search bills that were proposed in the most recent legislative sessions in Missouri. You will need to devise a search strategy, which will likely involve a word search. The bill you select should relate to a criminal law issue. Click on advanced search in the designated year on this screen and type in the word felony. As you can see, there are numerous hits. I suggest that you scroll through and locate a bill that interests you. You may want to vary the word search to meet your needs and desires, for example, by entering the words misdemeanor or weapon or peace officer, etc. Once you select a bill, please obtain as much information on the selected bill as you are able to locate from the site and elsewhere. Your completed Assignment should address the following issues:
An identification of the bill you selected by the number and sponsor;
A description in your own words of what this bill proposes and how it changes existing law; Why was this bill proposed?(you may speculate if the reason isn’t apparent)
What interest groups do you foresee would have an interest in this legislation? An interest group is an organization such as the ACLU, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association,etc.
What are some arguments in favor of and opposed to the adoption of this legislation?
You may articulate existing arguments or develop your own. It is not required that you select a Missouri bill on this assignment. You may select another state if you desire. You will need to locate other state’s site through your own research. A suitable length on this assignment is 5-10 paragraphs.
Paper 1 Rubric
CRITERIA
DESCRIPTION
POINTS
Bill
The bill selected for analysis is appropriate for the assignment; provides information about the bill – number and sponsor
10
Description
Describes what the bill proposes and how it would change existing law
25
Interest Groups
Describes/analyzes the groups that would have an interest in the proposed legislation
25
Arguments
Summarizes arguments in favor of and opposed to the proposed legislation
25
Conclusion
States the author’s stand on the issue and provides support for an argument in favor of or opposed to the proposed legislation
10
Mechanics
Relatively free of errors in spelling, diction, and sentence structure.
5
Total
100
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