Should this case be handled by state or federal investigators
The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered. For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned. Provide a detailed response to the topic questions in the Discussion Area. For this assignment, post your responses directly to the Discussion Area; do not attach any documents.
To support your work, make sure you use your course and text readings. When asked, also use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite the sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment to the Discussion Area by the end of the week.
PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE—PROCEDURAL PROCESS
Bob Helmsley is a respected community leader and the owner of the Helmsley Crematorium in Amarillo, Texas, that services Texas, Southern Oklahoma, and the northwest region of New Mexico. He is the former coroner in Potter County, Texas, and his wife Susan is a respected member in the community. Susan is the bookkeeper at the crematorium, but neither she nor Bob have any day-to-day contact with business operations, which is currently run by Chip, a long-time family friend and business partner.
An anonymous tip on three separate occasions was reported to the Potter County Sheriff’s Department that skeletal remains were seen on the Helmsley property; however, when investigated by the authorities, nothing ever resulted. One day, an unannounced but routine inspection by the Texas Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers revealed a shed stacked with human bodies and an open grave with bodies scattered about the property. There were so many bodies; a federal disaster team was dispatched to aid the state in identifying the remains. Bob, Susan, and Chip were arrested, and ultimately, the investigators discovered four hundred uncremated bodies.
Representatives from the state and federal prosecutor’s office were brought in to coordinate the case. In the Discussion Area, please respond to the following questions and explain how you arrived at your decision. Review the decisions of at least two of your classmates and respond to what they have written. Be sure to respond to any feedback to your original post.
Should this case be handled by state or federal investigators? Why? What court (state or federal) has jurisdiction over this case? Explain.
What are the procedural steps that occur after an individual is arrested? Explain. Are there specific rules that govern this process?
Describe the process of plea bargaining—what is it? Why does it take place? Which of the defendants, if any, would you offer a plea bargain? Why or why not?
If you are the prosecutor, what issues must you consider? Why? If you are the defense attorney representing Bob, what issues must you consider? Why?
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