Prompt
Understanding the process a defendant moves through in the court system and how juries function in different courts is an important aspect to understanding the criminal justice system. Complete the Module Five Assignment template Word Document to help you organize some of the essential processes and procedures of the court system.
Identify the 8 key steps a defendant moves through in the criminal justice process. Put them in order from first to last.
Identify 2-3 key differences and similarities and differences between civil and criminal juries.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding the Criminal Justice System: A Comprehensive Overview
The Defendant’s Journey in the Criminal Justice Process
The criminal justice system is a complex entity that involves numerous steps and procedures for a defendant. Understanding these key steps is essential to comprehending the intricacies of the legal process. Below are the eight key steps a defendant moves through in the criminal justice process, presented in chronological order:
Arrest: The process begins with the arrest of the defendant by law enforcement authorities, based on probable cause or with an arrest warrant.
Booking: Following the arrest, the defendant is taken to a police station for booking, where personal information is recorded, fingerprints are taken, and a mugshot is captured.
Initial Appearance: The defendant is brought before a judge for an initial appearance, during which they are informed of the charges against them and their constitutional rights.
Preliminary Hearing/Grand Jury: Depending on the jurisdiction, a preliminary hearing may be held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, or a grand jury may review the case and decide whether to indict the defendant.
Arraignment: The defendant formally enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere) during the arraignment, and bail may be set if applicable.
Pre-Trial Motions: Both the prosecution and defense may file pre-trial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case.
Trial: If the case proceeds to trial, the prosecution presents evidence and arguments against the defendant, who has the opportunity to present a defense.
Sentencing: If the defendant is found guilty, a sentencing hearing is held to determine the appropriate punishment or rehabilitation measures.
Key Differences and Similarities Between Civil and Criminal Juries
Differences:
Burden of Proof: In criminal cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, which must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, the burden of proof is typically lower, requiring a preponderance of the evidence.
Verdict Impact: Criminal juries determine guilt or innocence, leading to potential incarceration or fines. Civil juries decide liability and damages in disputes between parties but do not have the authority to impose criminal penalties.
Nature of Cases: Criminal juries preside over cases involving violations of criminal law, while civil juries handle disputes between individuals or entities, such as personal injury claims or contract disputes.
Similarities:
Jury Selection Process: Both criminal and civil juries undergo a selection process to ensure impartiality and fairness.
Deliberation and Verdict: Jurors in both criminal and civil cases deliberate on the evidence presented and render a verdict based on their assessment of the facts.
