Discuss constitutional freedoms and rights of citizens and explain how an ethical criminal justice system and participatory citizenship protects those freedoms and rights.

Overview:The following assignment is utilized to meet the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) of CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law as well as the Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO) of the Associate of Arts-Criminal Justice program of study:Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law:1. Identify the elements of crimes and defenses under Texas statutes, Model Penal Code, and case law.2. Classify offenses and articulate penalties for various crimes.3. Compare culpable mental states when assigning criminal responsibility.4. Assess the impact of history and philosophy on current criminal laws.5. Evaluate the application of criminal law to other areas of criminal justice such as law enforcement and corrections.Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for Associate of Arts-Criminal Justice:1. Discuss constitutional freedoms and rights of citizens and explain how an ethical criminal justice system and participatory citizenship protects those freedoms and rights.2. Demonstrate knowledge of the three major areas of America’s criminal justice system (Police, Courts, and Corrections).3. Analyze a criminal case and understand its relevance to protected freedoms and rights4. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental elements of criminal law.Assignment:In this assignment, students will complete a 5-page research paper. The focus of your research paper will be to discuss a criminal case from the point of entry into the criminal justice system to discussion of the outcome of the case. A list of criminal cases will be provided to you by your professor.Content:A successful paper will include the following criteria as it relates to the topic:The details surrounding the criminal case and address the following questions:o What are the crimes the person is being accused of in a court of law? What are the elements of each of these crimes?o What type of defense did the accused in a court of law? What types of defenses could the accused have raised in a court of law? Please explain each defense thoroughly.o What was the mental state of the accused when the crime occurred? Please explain the different types of mental states (mens rea) that a person can be during the commission of a crime and how this impacts the status of criminal responsibility.o What was the outcome of the case? How did the entire process from the point of entry into the criminal justice system to entering the penal system impact this individual, their family and society in general?Research and Information:In completing your research paper, be mindful of the sources you obtain. Your information should come from peer reviewed articles, journals, or books. Sources should not be based upon opinion but instead from analysis and verified data. News and magazine articles, whether in print or digital format, may contain information that is not verified, opinion, or outright falsehoods. The library is an excellent source to find credible information from journals and books. Information collected by Google Scholar is also acceptable as the information is guaranteed from a peer reviewed source.