Q1: Dr. Dodge discusses the growth in awareness of white-collar crime and how the criminal justice system has responded to it. Discuss the harms of white-collar crimes in comparison to crimes of physical violence. In what ways could the consequences of white-collar crimes be more damaging than, or as damaging as, crimes of physical violence?

Q2: Because white-collar crime often has more victims, does that make it worse than other crimes? If so, should punishments be more severe?

Q3: Dr. Dodge mentions justice for victims; what is justice and what should it look like in practice?

Q1: Why is it problematic that the majority of people only see the worst crimes via media sources?

Q2: It is easy to draw causal relationships between two factors like in Dr. Rennison’s example of violence in media and those who commit violent crimes. What other factors could be involved? What are some of the possible consequences to the criminal justice system and society at large of quickly trusting and responding to a statement such as ‘those who watch violent shows or play violent video games will commit violent acts?’

Q1: What surprised or didn’t surprise you about Dr. Rennison’s answer and why?

Q2: In response to Dr. Rennison’s discussion of empathy, why do you think many people choose to simply label individuals as “good” or “bad”?

Q3: What are other skills that you believe are critical to the criminal justice field?

Q1: Dr. Rennison explains that the level of crime in a society is an indicator of the health of that society. Winston Churchill remarked similarly in 1910 saying, “The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country.” Discuss these statements.

Q2: If crime trends are going down does this always mean good things are happening? Discuss.

Q1: “Broken windows” theory is one of the most widely known theories beyond the criminal justice field. Do you think the weight given to this theory is warranted? Does its application work?

Q2: Dr. Dodge states, “Crime happens in certain places.” By concentrating law enforcement efforts in certain communities, how can this have adverse affects on that community? Does it enable crime to flourish elsewhere or even ignore crime in other communities?

Q3: Dr. Dodge discusses measures homeowners can take to make their homes less likely to be targeted by criminals. Do these types of actions feed the cycle of fear and crime? Further, how can we move beyond acting on a “symptomatic” level versus addressing more of the root issues? For example, encouraging communities to build relationships of trust in which citizens can support one another and look out for one another instead of building up more and more defenses that support a culture of “us v. them.”

Q1: Dr. Rennison states that the two major crime-reporting agencies are both within the Department of Justice? Is this a concern? Should there be an additional impartial crime-reporting agency?

Q2: Crimes are not always reported or may not always be recorded correctly. What are other concerns when considering crime statistics?

Q1: Dr. Rennison explains that some groups disproportionately experience victimizations. What could be the reasons for this? Are they justified?

Q2: Disparities do not always mean discrimination. Even so, what can be done improve the disproportionate rates at which some groups experience victimization?

Q1: The difference in sentencing for crack cocaine vs. powder cocaine is stark. The racial correlation is obvious, but is it indicative of a causal relationship? Discuss the implications of this difference, especially if it was done with racial motives.

Q1: What do you think have been the biggest improvements in the history of policing?

Q2: What would be the one recommendation for improvement you would suggest moving forward?

Q1: What are the qualifications of gender equality or a lack of gender discrimination? Is it that men and women must be able to do all of the same things?

Q2:  Could gender equality be the recognition and acceptance of the abilities and strengths of the opposite sex even if they are different abilities and strengths?

Q1: Dr. Rennison points out that August Vollmer advocated for police officers to be, not only educated, but also educated as social workers. Often this is not the case. If all law enforcement agents were required to obtain higher education with an emphasis in social work, how would it change the role of police officers? How could this help, or harm, the criminal justice system?

Q2: It is often said that perception is reality. Is it a perception and/or reality that policing has improved? Is there a perception that policing has gotten worse while reality would show that it has gotten better? If so, what creates this gap and how can perception and reality be aligned?

Q1: In Dr. Dodge’s discussion of women on SWAT and gender equality, is it a requirement that there be an equal number of men and women for gender equality to exist?

Q2: What do men bring to SWAT? What do women bring to SWAT?

Q1: “Broken windows” theory is one of the most widely known theories beyond the criminal justice field. Do you think the weight given to this theory is warranted? Does its application work?

Q2: Dr. Dodge states, “Crime happens in certain places.” By concentrating law enforcement efforts in certain communities, how can this have adverse affects on that community? Does it enable crime to flourish elsewhere or even ignore crime in other communities?

Q3: Dr. Dodge discusses measures homeowners can take to make their homes less likely to be targeted by criminals. Do these types of actions feed the cycle of fear and crime? Further, how can we move beyond acting on a “symptomatic” level versus addressing more of the root issues? For example, encouraging communities to build relationships of trust in which citizens can support one another and look out for one another instead of building up more and more defenses that support a culture of “us v. them.”

Q1: It may seem like a minor topic in the policing world, but what could be the wider implications of police officers not wearing their seatbelts?

Q2: What could be some helpful arguments to the reasons given of why police officers don’t wear their seatbelts?

Q1: Dr. Dodge mentions a “trial penalty” in which people are essentially punished for acting on their constitutional right to take their case to trial. Discuss.

Q2: Do prosecutors hold too much power with their role in plea-bargaining?

Q3: Do the realities (as discussed by Dr. Dodge) that dictate plea-bargaining as a normal and accepted part of the court process justify the use?

Q1: Dr. Dodge discusses how technology is used to re-create a scene or a perspective of a crime. What are the benefits and concerns to doing this?

Q2: What are you thoughts on the virtual environment technology discussed by Dr. Dodge where jurors can walk through a crime scene?

Q3: Should both parties in a case have access to the same technology? Do presentations need to be, in a sense, equal?

Q1: Studies have shown that individuals often falsely identify offenders in line-ups, thus reducing the credibility of eyewitnesses. Are there ways jurors can better discern the truthfulness or credibility of eyewitnesses? Should jurors question what an eyewitness says?

Q2: How can jurors be prepared or coached to be aware of the tendency to rely too heavily on what an eyewitness says? Is there a way that this could be worked into jury instructions or would that type of coaching be unethical?

Q1: Should individuals be open to accepting offenders back into their communities? Why or why not? What are the implications of either choice?

Q2: Is there a place for shaming? Do you think it’s necessary and effective? Can an individual be reintegrated back into a community without feeling shame for what they’ve done? Should they be forgiven?

Q1: In the example Dr. Dodge gives of the Rose M. Singer facility, 75% of women in the jail have mental illness. In the past several decades, as mental health facilities have closed, more individuals with mental health issues are being put in jails. Discuss this practice and its implications.

Q2: Dr. Dodge states, “Often it takes a crisis to be a catalyst for policy change.” Why is this the case? How can it be changed or should it?

Q1: Dr. Rennison states that, even with improvements over time, women still have a harder time than men in jails and prisons. Do you think this is true?

Q2: What are the implications for families and communities of incarcerating women, often further away from their loved ones? Further, what are the implications for families and communities of incarcerating men?

Q1: Do you agree with the Supreme Court ruling that children 14 years old and younger cannot receive a prison sentence of life without parole? Should all children under 18 have the same protection? Should children be sentenced to prison at all?

Q2: Given the abuse that Evan Miller experienced and his apparent psychological and emotional state, what do you believe his sentence should have been?

Q1: Dr. Rennison explains that children are not prostitutes, but are victims of child abuse. If an individual is an adult and engages in prostitution, is it correct to assume they are there by choice? Is it possible that they are also being abused, victimized, or forced into that lifestyle?

Q2: Dr. Rennison states that traffickers are motivated by money. What other motivating factors may exist?

Q3: In some cases, especially in impoverished countries, parents may choose to sell a child in order to provide for their other children. Because their situation may be more complex, does this provide any justification?