This assignment asks students to write a 4-6 page paper exploring criminal defenses and punishments in the US legal system. It provides instructions for students to research different types of criminal defenses like the castle doctrine and stand your ground laws. Students are asked to analyze the role of double jeopardy and evaluate the adversarial court system. They must also argue for or against the right to a speedy trial and use at least 3 academic sources. The paper must follow APA formatting style.

1. Assignment 2: Criminal Defenses and Criminal Punishments
Due Week 7 and worth 170 points
It is common knowledge that two controversial issues in the
American legal system are the types of criminal defenses and
the manner of criminal punishment. In this assignment, you will
explore both in their various forms.
Use the Internet or Strayer databases to research the types of
criminal defenses and the manner of criminal punishment.
Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:
Specify the key points involved in the court determining the
lawfulness of the use of force. Next, evaluate the level of
objectivity inherent in each point that you have specified.
Determine the fundamental difference between the castle
doctrine and stand your ground types of criminal defenses.
Justify the validity of each, and provide one (1) example of
each to support your response.
Analyze the overall role that double jeopardy clause plays
within the trial system. Next, evaluate the general level of
fairness of double jeopardy to the defense. Provide a rationale
to support your response.
Specify the basic features of adversarial system. Next, support
or critique the value of the adversarial system within the
criminal law system in the United States. Justify your response.
Argue for or against the right to a speedy trial, as guaranteed by
the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Provide a

2. rationale to support your response.
Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this
assignment.
Note:
Wikipedia and similar type Websites do not qualify as
academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size
12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references
must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your
professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the
student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the
date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in
the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this
assignment are:
Describe the nature and history of American criminal law.
Explain the role of individuals and federal, state, and local
government agencies in crime fighting and prosecution of
criminal offenses.
Analyze the essential legal elements of criminal conduct.
Contrast crimes against persons, crimes against property, and

3. other types of criminal conduct.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in
criminal law.
Write clearly and concisely about criminal law using proper
writing mechanics.