TEAM EXERCISE #5: DEBATE - IS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS SYSTEM TOO SOFT? This exercise is worth 30 points. In addition, the "winners" (either Teams A/B or C/D) will get up to 10 points, the "losers" 5. So this exercise can pull in lots of points. Remember, though: Only those who contribute get points. It's a debate. DUE: NLT Weds, April 14 RESOLVED: THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS TOO SOFT ON JUVENILES Teams A and B will take the affirmative (ie, it IS too soft) Teams C and D will take the negative (it's NOT too soft) Team A: Focus on processing of juveniles, from commission of crime through sentencing. Look at thinks like police discretion, court discretion, diversion, sentences, and anything else you think encourages these young hoodlums or fails to deter them, or whatever argument you want to make. Team B: Focus on juvenile corrections--we coddle these darned kids in places like Kankakee, Joliet, Chicago, & St Charles....we should punish more, take away some of their programs....well, you get the idea. Team C: You will take the opposite of Team A Team D: You will take the opposite of Team B The instructions: 1) NO LATER THAN Weds, April 14, each team will send me a paper of about 3 to 5 pages (length isn't as important is ideas, so if you can say it in two pages, fine). 2) I will put up the papers as I get them, and by Thurs morning (april 15) I will have links to them. 3) Then, for 5 days (thurs thru sunday) teams A/B and C/D will debate their positions publicly, looking for holes in the other team's arguments. If you have questions, let me know.
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