Watch one of the following two films:

  1. An American Crime (2007)
    OR
  2. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
    OR
  3. Monster
    After you have finished watching the film, complete the writing assignment by answering the
    questions in each of the following three sections.

Section 1 (5 points): Summary of the Movie and Offender (1 to 2 double-spaced
paragraphs)
Using 1 to 2 double-spaced paragraphs, summarize the movie by describing the offender.
Consider the following questions to complete this section:

  1. Who is the offender (e.g., age, sex, race, family, etc)?
  2. Describe the crimes he/she have committed.
    a. Who were the victims? Were there more than one victim?
    b. How did the offender target the victim?
    c. Provide details of the crimes the offender have committed.
    Section 2 (30 points): Criminal Law (3 to 4 double-spaced paragraphs)
  3. Based upon the information from the textbook and class lectures, identify at least one
    crime that the offender was charged and tried for. As you describe the criminal law,
    identify which court and which state tried the offender. Provide details to the key actors
    of the trial (e.g., describe the defense attorney, prosecutor, judge, and jurors).
    SUMMER 2019
    CRIM 4334: ONLINE CRIMINAL LAW
    2
  4. Next, describe how Texas legally defines the crime you have described in the previous
    paragraph—this can be accomplished by reviewing the Texas Penal Code on this crime.
    In addition, describe the sanction associated with the violation of this crime in Texas.
  5. After describing the Texas penal code on the crime, identify one state that defines the
    crime you have described differently. What are the key differences between Texas and
    this new state? In addition, describe the sanctions associated with the crime in this
    particular state.
  6. Now that you are aware of how two states define and sanction offenders for the crime
    you have selected for this writing assignment, apply them to the offender in the
    documentary by considering the following questions:
    • Compare the offender’s punishment from the movie to what the trial and sentence
    would have been like if he/she was tried and punished in Texas and the second state
    you have identified.
    • Which state would be more “lenient” to the offender? Why?

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