Assignments

1.2- Written Assignment:

NOTE: Before beginning your written assignment, please first review the materials and information in this valuable web resource:http://www.uscourts.gov/federalcourts/understandingfederalcourts/jurisdiction.aspx

This written assignment requirement is for a minimum of 5 double-spaced pages of text, submitted in APA format, using 12 point font. In addition, your paper should include a cover page, abstract and reference page. A minimum of 2 scholarly sources must be used. Provide the following information and post your assignment as a .doc file attachment to the link provided under Assignment 1.2.

Discuss the specific limitations of federal court jurisdiction. State whether you think such limitations reflect the interest of the founding fathers to reserve most of the judicial authority to the states.

Comment upon this statement: The states are the best places to resolve most legal controversies, particularly those involving individual rights, because states are much closer to the people and are better agents to reflect the true opinion of the majority.

Provide your opinion on the matter of whether the Constitution is a "living" document subject to flexible interpretation.

2.2- Written Assignment:

This written assignment requirement is for a minimum of 3 double-spaced pages of text, submitted in APA format, using 12 point font. In addition, your paper should include a cover page, abstract and reference page. A minimum of 2 scholarly sources must be used and properly cited. Answer the following questions and post your assignment as a .doc file attachment to the link provided under Assignment 2.2.

To satisfy the elements of a particular crime, both the actus reus and the mens rea must be proven. Often times, defendants admit the actus reus, but deny the concept of mens rea. They often do this through the use of defenses based on excuse.

Select one of the following defenses based on excuse and provide an overview of the defense, cite at least one legal case pertaining to the defense, and provide an example of a situation in which the defense may be plausible.

Age/Infancy
Duress
Intoxication
Insanity
Diminished Capacity
Mistake
Entrapment.