Guest Video

Watch the following videos in their entirety and answer the critical thinking questions below. 

Joshua Benjamin: Police Questioning and Confession

Q1: Josh explains that at the time of his arrest it was a relief to have his problem acknowledged so that he could get the help that he was seeking. Do you think perhaps many individuals with similar issues as Josh want help and want to change, but feel unable to seek that help?

Q2: Josh says he was charged with more serious crimes than what he had been arrested for. Why is it important that charges and, later, sentences are aligned with evidence versus what people may think happened or what people assume happened?

Chris Farias: Interactions With Police

Q1: Chris explains that he felt the police were doing their job and that they did it well, but that he knew it would be bad for him as he “was going into their world,” would lose his freedom and that his personal rights would not be acknowledged. Discuss the perception and/or reality of the “different world” of entering the criminal justice system as well as the dynamics of the police subculture.

Q2: Should harshness be a required quality of police officers? Other there other qualities or tactics that could be, as effective or, more effective? Does it depend on the person?

Q3: Is it justified for police to pull someone over without probable cause? What are the consequences of doing this? What are the possible consequences of not pulling someone over due to the lack of probably cause?

Protections Against Unreasonable Searches

The 4th Amendment