CJUS/500 CJUS500 CJUS 500 WEEK 3 PROJECT 1

CJUS 500 WEEK 3 PROJECT 1

Criminal Proceeding Project – Part 1 Instructions

Goal:Identification of the Criminal Proceeding to be observed for Part 2

Using online resources and personal communication, the student will identify a specific local courthouse or tribunal and choose a particular criminal proceeding to observe for this project. The student will submit a written summary of the aforementioned information. This assignment requires a title page. Any sources given must be submitted in current APA format.

Note: Proceedings pursuant to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) may qualify. The student must have the instructor’s approval beforehand. Law enforcement officials should observe a case with which they have no direct affiliation, if possible. Since the observation will be as a graduate student in criminal justice and not as a witness, a prior case will usually not be an acceptable substitute.

The intent of this assignment is to educate the graduate criminal justice student about the realities of the criminal trial system versus its characterization by the media. The student is expected to examine the flow, nuances, and actors within criminal trial proceedings from an objective perspective. The estimated time of observation is 4 hours or less.

The preference is that this observation should be in person; however, for some, this may not be practical. If the student desires an exception to the in person requirement, he/she should contact his/hercourse instructor.

As Part 1 is due in Module/Week 3, student requests for exceptions must be made within the first two modules/weeks of the term and clearly articulated in a manner that allows the instructor to make a timely decision.

If after a case is selected, the case is continued or rescheduled, the student may request an extension or seek an exception from the course instructor.

The instructor can permit a student to complete the assignment by observing a criminal proceeding online. The following web site provides video streaming that is not edited for the television or the “infotainment” industry and is approved as the best alternative to the sights, sounds, and flow of an actual criminal courtroom:

United States Courts http://www.uscourts.gov/Multimedia/cameras.aspx.

Trial Project Part 1

Student Name

Criminal Justice 500

Liberty University

Trial Project Part 1

Court

Superior Court of the District of Columbia – Criminal Division

Moultrie Courthouse – Court room 318
500 Indiana Avenue N.W., 4th Floor - West
Washington, DC, 20001

Case

 CF1-017540 District of Columbia Vs. Johnson, Irvin Harris

Date of trial

February 4, 2013

Defendant

 Irvin Johnson

Attorney

Liyah K. Brown

Judge

 Robert E. Morin

Charges

1. Assault with intent to kill
2. Possess firearm during crime of violence
3. Unlawful possession of a firearm
4. Carry pistol without license outside home/business
5. Destruction of property $1000 or more
6. Murder I
7. Possess firearm during crime of violence
8. Murder I
9. Possess firearm during crime of violence
10. Assault with intent to kill
11. Possess firearm during crime of violence
12. Aggravated assault knowingly
13. Possess firearm during crime of violence
14. Assault with intent to kill
15. Possess firearm during crime of violence
16. Unlawful possession of a firearm
17. Carry pistol without license outside home/business

Brief summary of case

Irving Johnson was convicted of murdering two individuals and caused bodily harm to one. He also broke into a car and caused damage of over $1000. He refused a plea deal and contends his innocence at this time.

Trial Project Part I

Student Name

CJUS 500-

Liberty University

Trial Project

The trial I have chosen to observe occurs on Monday, February 4^th, 2013, 1:00 p.m., at the Wythe County, Virginia, Circuit Court. This particular court is part of the 27^th Judicial District in Virginia. Judges presiding over cases in this court include:

• Hon. Josiah T. Showalter Jr., Presiding Judge
• Hon. Robert M. D. Turk, Chief Judge
• Hon. Brett L. Geisler
• Hon. Colin R. Gibb
• Hon. Marcus H. Long Jr.

The address and additional contact information for the Wythe County Circuit Court is:

Wythe County Circuit Court

Circuit Court Building

225 S. Fourth Street, Room 105

Wytheville, VA 24382

276.223.6050 – phone

276.223.6057 – fax

The specific criminal court case I have chosen to observe is

The following hearings have already occurred regarding this criminal case:

In addition, Mr. Calhoun will also be tried for the following:

The following hearings have already occurred regarding this criminal case: