Letter to Friend Explaining Court Processes

CJS/251 Version 4

University of Phoenix Material

Letter to Friend Explaining Court Processes

You receive the following letter from a former friend:

Dear Friend,

I find myself in quite a predicament due to my own misfortune and bad judgment. My 6-year-old son and I were recently left homeless after I was laid off from my job and my house was taken by the bank.

I enrolled my son in a nearby elementary school when school started in the fall. I used the address where I lived last, because I don’t have a current address. The school district discovered that I wasn’t living at that address and charged me with fraud. I was arrested yesterday and haven’t yet been to court. My son was placed in the care of protective services.

I just want to get out of jail as soon as possible to reunite with my son. I have some questions, and I was hoping you could do some research to find the answers for me.

· The police never read me my Miranda warnings. Will my case be dismissed as a result?

· The police also haven’t questioned me yet. Should I agree to talk to them, if asked?

· Is this considered a state or federal offense?

· Will this be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony?

· Do you think I really need an attorney? After all, I am guilty, and I can’t afford one.

· I also don’t have any money for bail. Are there any options that would allow me to be released from custody prior to trial and that would not require money?

· How do I get to see the police reports?

· What is the difference between the grand jury hearing and a preliminary hearing? Which would be better in my case?

· Do you think that I should just plead guilty so I can get this over with and reunite with my son? Why or why not?

· Who decides if I’m guilty: the prosecutor, judge, or jury?

· What happens if I am found guilty? What type of sentence do you think I’ll receive? Why do you think I’ll receive that sentence?

· What are my options if I don’t agree with the verdict or the sentence?

Write a 700- to 1,050-word letter to your friend answering your friend’s questions.

Cite and reference the assigned text and at least one other scholarly and reliable source in your letter. Do not use dictionaries or encyclopedias as source material for this assignment.

Format your letter consistent with APA guidelines. The use of first person (I, we) and second person (you) is appropriate for this assignment.

Our Service Charter

1. Professional & Expert Writers: On Time Writers only hire the best. Our writers are specially selected and recruited, after which they undergo further training to perfect their skills for specialization purposes. Moreover, our writers are holders of masters and Ph.D. degrees. They have impressive academic records, besides being native English speakers.

2. Top Quality Papers: Our customers are always guaranteed papers that exceed their expectations. All our writers have +5 years of experience. This implies that all papers are written by individuals who are experts in their fields. In addition, the quality team reviews all the papers before sending them to the customers.

3. Plagiarism-Free Papers: All papers provided by On Time Writers are written from scratch. Appropriate referencing and citation of key information are followed. Plagiarism checkers are used by the Quality assurance team and our editors just to double-check that there are no instances of plagiarism.

4. Timely Delivery: Time wasted is equivalent to a failed dedication and commitment. On Time Writers is known for timely delivery of any pending customer orders. Customers are well informed of the progress of their papers to ensure they keep track of what the writer is providing before the final draft is sent for grading.

5. Affordable Prices: Our prices are fairly structured to fit all groups. Any customer willing to place their assignments with us can do so at very affordable prices. In addition, our customers enjoy regular discounts and bonuses.

6. 24/7 Customer Support: At On Time Writers, we have put in place a team of experts who answer all customer inquiries promptly. The best part is the ever-availability of the team. Customers can make inquiries anytime.