This is the case im studying click the link i also added the full attachment of the case. Write a letter explaining the case as if you were in the courthouse.

Naturalistic observation involves systematically observing and taking notes on some phenomenon in its everyday environment.It does not require that you involve yourself directly in the phenomenon that you observe, but to watch and record as impartially and accurately as possible.

For this assignment, I would like you to observe a criminal court proceeding, taking close notes on the following questions.

• Describe in as much detail as possible the physical surroundings of the courthouse and courtroom.What were people saying and doing outside the courtroom?What did you see on the walls of the courtroom?What rules were posted?What space was there for observers and people waiting to have a case?What “tone” do you think the architects were going for when they designed this space?Friendly?Serious?Intimidating?

• Was this an observation of arraignments or a criminal trial?What is the difference between the two?Be clear about the purpose of these proceedings.To enter a plea of guilty or not guilty and set bail?To agree on a plea bargain?To decide whether or not the case would be dismissed?Give as many details as possible. This is an opportunity to incorporate what you have learned in your different Criminal Justice courses.

• • Who did you observe in the courtroom?Describe at least a few of them in as much detail as possible.I expect this to include the judge, lawyers, people seated in the waiting area,
  • and security.If you are watching a trial, then you would also describe the jury.What was the role of each of these individuals in the proceedings that you observed? Consider the following sociological variables in your observation (Age/ Gender/ Race/ Ethnicity). Also remember that we have been discussing in class the role that racism and sexism have played in the development of U.S criminal law and the impact in today’s criminal justice proceedings. Please integrate the readings and discussions in your report.
    • What were the issues involved in one of the cases that you observed?What was the charge against the defendant?Was any evidence articulated to substantiate this charge? If the proceedings move very quickly (as is typical with arraignments), then please observe and describe at least a couple of cases.If you are observing a trial, then you can write about this case alone.
    • What did the prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge say during your observation?What did the two lawyers disagree on and how did the judge settle these disagreements?
    • Did the defendant say anything?If so, please describe.
    • If you were watching a trial (as opposed to arraignments), were there any witnesses?If so, what did they say and/or contribute to the proceedings?

Questions to reflect on afterwards and to include in your writing:

• • • What was your “gut-level” response to the proceedings?How did it feel to sit in and watch these courtroom proceedings?Did you feel like the defendant was treated fairly?Why or why not?Were the proceedings that you observed consistent with what we have read about and discussed in class with what have you learned in Criminal Justice courses?
  • • Do you have recommendations for improvement in the courthouse, based on your observations?Try to come up with at least a couple and explain why you feel that these issues need to be rectified.
  • • Based on this observation, do you feel like you would want to play a role in these proceedings in the future?If so, what role would you like to play, and why?If not, why not?What turned you off?

Following, you will write a letter to a friend (imagined or real), who lives outside of the U.S. and does not have any pre-existing knowledge about our criminal justice system.You will describe your experience in great detail and include your specific observations on the questions noted above.You may also include some background information on criminal justice proceedings that you did not observe in the courtroom, but have acquired through your reading of the textbook, and our classroom discussions.Please try not to frame your letter as a simple answer to the above questions.These letters should be typed and approximately five pages in length.You can write more but not less than five pages.

WHEN YOU SUBMIT THESE LETTERS, PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL NOTES YOU TOOK ON THE COURTROOM PROCEEDINGS. YOU SHOULD TYPE UP THESE NOTES BEFORE YOU SUBMIT THEM.

Student Learning Outcomes for Capstone Assignment

• 1. To be exposed to court proceedings so that the student experience firsthand how the court really operates.
  2. To explain the difference between a criminal trial and an arraignment.
  3. To use context appropriate vocabulary to analyze the experience of arraignment or a criminal trial.
  4. To integrate assigned readings in the context of the letter.
  5. To include in your observation sociological variables as age, gender, race or ethnicity and be able to identify the role that these variables play in the context of the criminal justice system.
  6. To understand the impact and message that physical surroundings have on the court proceedings.