Court Issues Analysis Essay Example for Free

Court Issues Analysis Essay In discussions regarding court system issues, most tend to forget that crimes would not happen if there were proper societal values in place and those values were enforced. Society has shifted from a culture of marriage, family values and strong familiar bonds to a culture that cultivates a staggering divorce rate, single mothers with many children born out of wedlock with little to no income. A culture that is has no patriarchal figure to lead and teach the children right from wrong aids and abets a systematic control of the poor and minorities. Instead of encouraging the pursuit of education, society encourages the pursuit of false hope and dreams through get rich quick methods that essentially remove the rights of those who chose to pursue criminal behavior. Most are imprisoned due to criminal activity and having no fatherhood figure themselves, there is no sense of value to one’s life. This loss of the father figure not living in the home, especially in the African American and Hispanic communities, has a negative outcome not only in the community, but on society as a whole. Without the complete family unit to provide guidance, encourage the children to stay in school and avoid criminal activity, or to become a productive member of society; then our court systems will continue to provide severe punishment for minor crimes and negative social behaviors when the court should offer solutions to preventative crime and supportive services to those families whose members are involved in the vicious cycle of incarceration. Victims’ assistance programs should also support the families of the criminal, as well as the providing treatment programs and assistance to those. The majority of innovation and changes made to the court system over the past 30 years have been tested and administered in urban locales or focused on suburban jurisdictions, where a bulk of the financial resources are given due to the larger population. Rural areas tend to have much larger geographic locales, smaller populations and limited legal, social and health services to assist the general public; this can provide a challenge for rural courts. With the lack of specialized justice practitioners and service providers, rural court jurisdictions tend to work closer with the community when handing out sentencing and punishment. Research conducted by the Justice Management Institute suggests six areas where the criminal justice system needs improvement, after some review I have combined them into the four topics below. Improvement of Court Practices and Procedures for Indigent Litigants The first thing the courts need to work on is improving practices and procedures for self-represented defendants. This includes proper caseload management, administrative management techniques that are informative and efficient so that no cases or indigent defendants become ‘lost’ within the incarceration process and are given the right to due process. In order for the aforementioned to work there would have to be an upgrade to the current indigent defense services that are available to defendants. This includes public defenders that are compensated with good salaries and other support needed to manage caseloads; making them more prepared to battle for their client’s freedom instead of plea-bargaining an agreement. One change that should be made is the building of informative websites that provide information about the court system and the types of cases that are handled by jurisdiction. Providing the public with listings of case statuses and docket information can be helpful for pro bono attorney looking for clients to represent, and having detailed information and the proper forms that would be needed for a person to represent oneself in court; can help disperse the caseload. The development of performance standards and methods for supervising attorneys, assigned counsel, and court officials will ensure that courtroom behavior is ethical and in favor of the defendants. Enhanced Technology and Information Management The enhancement of technology is another area of concern regarding court administration today. Modernization of older court buildings with upgrades to newer security features, such as video cameras and weapon detection systems, can offer a greater sense of security for the public and those involved in the court process. The employment of properly trained security guards, who are rehearsed in threat assessment, will ensure that future security officers are able to handle any crisis that may occur. This includes the effective use of communication equipment, proper weapons training and new technologies that are implemented. The employing of degreed peace officers as administrative staff, who have a working knowledge of security systems and policing; that are familiar with the software used, and any hardware that is required to provide a safe court environment, ensures that security processes and procedures will be followed. Storing of information is important when building databases to control the flow of information within the court system and making sure that information is secure, obtainable and available to all jurisdictions is not only beneficial in the court process but should be a priority to ensure that the system does not become overloaded. This includes the creation and updating of all proper forms, documentation, and the incorporation of any digital media that is needed to complete the judiciary process; plus the technical support and communication infrastructure to manage all the information. Finally, the proper training for court staff on how to access all information, customer service in providing the appropriate assistance and the relaying of proper information to the public and for all justice system practitioners and service providers. Web based education is a consistent way to ensure that all court personnel receive the same standard of training in core subjects. Greater Availability of Community Programs Having readily available resources to provide those who have addiction problems or commit crimes due to addiction, such as inpatient/outpatient programs, drug court and probation programs that teach recovery and coping skills, and providing transportation vouchers to those defendants who do not own or have vehicles. Although some courts have drug courts, the establishment of a mental health court could substantially help with caseload. With qualified treatment providers and caseworkers who are educated in mental illness (with or without drug abuse training) can provide information to the court through home visits, doctor office visits, and the tracking of those individuals who are required to be on medication and in treatment programs while on probation, thus being able to use the information gathered to forecast defendants whose criminal actions are due to some sort of mental illness. Overcoming Language Barriers Providing improved court interpreter services through technology will allow for greater range of court interpreter services. Language barriers are one of the biggest issues with the illegal immigrant population. It is imperative that court system recruit interpreters who are fluent in many languages, so that those who do not have a good command of the law are able to understand what crime has been committed and the punishment for that action, why that particular action is a crime, and to ensure that they understand the court process in relation to their rights. Judges, attorneys and client representative should also be trained in several languages or be given access to a competent interpreter so that nothing can be lost in translation. Through the use of technology, such as Skype, court interpreters can instruct, educate and disseminate information so that those who do not understand will have some comprehension of the resources available to them and the sentencing/punishment that is handed down. References Robinson, M. B. (2009). Justice blind? Ideals and realities of American criminal justice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Continuum of Care University of Phoenix Essay Example for Free

Continuum of Care University of Phoenix Essay Long-term Care is only one piece of continuum care. Most Americans try to stay home as long as they can. People love to try and keep their independence as long as they can. Many elderly Americans are able to stay home as long as they can due to family members help and home health care aide. Most elderly people can no longer take care of themselves mentally and physically. This is when Long-term care continuum benefits the patient. The long-term care continuum consists of nursing home care and assisted living care. The first step in the continuum of care is Independent living. Elderly patients are placed in supportive housing or home based healthcare. If the patient is unsuccessful with supportive housing, we must move to the next step. The next step is providing in home care. In home care is less expensive than long term care. The cost of care for this service depends on the level of care and the hours of service the patient needs. The patient’s last choice should be long term care. Most elderly patients use Medicare or Medicaid for long term care payment. Medicare only applies to the patient’s long-term care if the patient is immediately following a hospital stay. Medicare only cover short term provider prescribed home health care for speech therapy, skilled nursing, occupational and medical social services. Medicare also covers up to 100 days of nursing home care. We are fighting today for a longer duration for long term care. The federal government should allow elderly patients more time in long term care facilities. I believe this would cut the cost of emergency room visits and hospital admittance in seniors.

Petrogenesis of the Basalts From Lanjiafan Formation

Petrogenesis of the Basalts From Lanjiafan Formation Chapter 5: Petrogenesis of the basalts from Lanjiafan Formation and Evaluation of Tectonic setting Most trends on variation diagrams are the result of mixing. Below consider some of the more important mixing process. 5.1 Alteration It is observed from the field evidence as well as petrography that the studied basalts are experienced varying degrees of alteration, which were observed by the presence of the secondary minerals such as calcite and a larger LOI varying from 3.87wt%-13wt%. Elements which are mobile during alteration include SiO2, CaO, Na2O, K2O, indicating that these major elements easily migrate with alteration occurs and low strength elements (Humphris et al., 1978). However, the high field strength elements (HFSE, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Th, U, and Y) and the rare earth elements (REE) are relatively immobile in all even the most severe hydrothermal alteration (Pearce, 1975). In contrast, large LILE (LILEs, such as Cs, Rb, Sr, Rb, Pb and Ba) show no linear relation with zirconium. For this reason only high field strength elements Ti, Zr, Y, Nb, Ta, Hf, Th and REE have been used in the discussion of the source properties and petrogenesis of these mafic volcanic rocks. 5.2 Fractional crystallization Fractional crystallization is a major process in the evolution of many igneous rocks, and is frequently the cause of trends seen on variation diagrams for igneous rocks, especially basalts rocks. However, the basalts from the Lanjiafan Formation have Mg# varying from 46.2 to 89.3, slightly higher than those of the primitive mantle derived magmas (about 70-72; Irving and Green 1976; Frey et al., 1987). Besides, they are relatively low in Cr (0.68-37.8) and Ni (14-123), indicating a fractional crystallization to a certain degree in the magmatic chambers or during the ascending processes of the parental magma most likely of plagioclase (Xu et al., (2015). Accordingly, the petro graphical observations show the presence of plagioclase as the dominant mineral. For the alkaline basalts, the weak Eu and Sr anomalies imply a minor fraction crystallization of plagioclase, (Frey et al., 1978). For sub alkaline basalts, the negative Eu (0.58Niu et al, 2009, suggest fractionation crystallization. Therefore, in both alkaline and sub alkaline rocks experienced fractional crystallization. 5.3 Crustal contamination Generally, the compositional variation of magma is subject to different degrees of contamination by different crustal components during their ascent to the surface through continental crust, which changes the composition of magma (Manikyamba et al., 2014). Although it is difficult to assess crustal contamination without having isotope data, some critical geochemical characters may help to identify possible involvement of crustal material during emplacement of alkaline magmas. The basalts samples show a depletion in Nb, Ti, and Ta and a positive Pb anomaly, and some samples show an enrichment of LREE, indicating these samples may have been subjected to crustal contamination (Hawkesworth., 1984) or derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle (Wang et al., 2008). Nb-Ta and neighboring elements (Th, U and La) are not fractionated from each other during partial melting or fractional crystallization (Hofman., 1988), but the enrichment of the mantle source and the crustal contamination can significantly increase LILLE and LREE content and decrease HFSE/LILLE or HFSE/LREE ratios. For alkaline basalts, the higher Nb/Th (11.43-12.84), Nb/U (12.41-54.58) and Nb/La (1.28-1.89) ratios than those of the primitive mantle (Nb/Th=8.4; Nb/U=34; Nb/La=1.04; Sun and McDonough, 1989) values reflect the primary signature of the mantle sources with a significant involvement of crustal contamination in the alkaline basalts (fig 5.3.1). Thus, the alkaline basalts from Lanjiafan Formation were likely derived from a relatively less depleted mantle, and the alkali basaltic magmas were assimilated with minor crustal components. However, sub alkaline basalts show crust-like characteristics with obvious enrichment in Th, U, LREE and depletion in Nb, Ta (La/Nb>1), they have Nb/Th Although, sample D26-11 exhibit no visible HFSE depletion (La/Nb2.5ppm) and Th-U positive anomaly indicate contamination with upper crustal materials (fig 4.6 and 5.3.1). We consider that the primary magma must have experienced significant crustal contamination. Indeed, Fig 5.3.1 shows a general trend toward more crustal contribution from alkaline basalts. Trace-element ratio-ratio plots (fig 5.3.2) for these basalts show a good hyperbolic correlations between Lu/Hf and Hf/Yb, Lu/Hf and Zr/Yb, also indicating crustal contamination in the form of a binary mixing (Wang et al., 2008). 5.4 Nature of the mantle sources The basaltic magmas mainly originated in the continental lithospheric mantle or asthenospheric mantle. Turner et al (1995) presented the statistics of the worldwide continental flood basalts, the CaO/Al2O ratios for the basalts from the continental lithospheric mantle are less than 0.7 while those from the asthenospheric mantle are greater than 0.7. The basalts from western USA (Fitton et al., 1988) have La/Nb ratios greater than 1.5 if the basaltic magmas are derived from the lithospheric mantle, whereas those that originated from the asthenospheric mantle have ratios less than 1.5. As for the analyzed samples in this study, except for sample D26-7 and D26-8 with lower LOI, all of samples have CaO/Al2O ratios between 0.13 and 0.53 with a mean of 0.34 and La/Nb ratios from 0.53 to 0.85, indicating an asthenospheric mantle source. In addition, the La/Ta ratios (>30 for the lithospheric mantle) may also be considered as the discriminating index for the basaltic magmas (Deng et al., 2013). The La/Ta ratios for all of the analyzed samples from Lanjiafan Formation vary from 11.89 to 25.22, with an average of 15.44, indicating an asthenospheric mantle source as well. Although, differences in the degree of melting of mantle peridotite can lead to variation of TiO2 content in basal. Ewart et al., (1998) showed the basaltic magma from the asthenosphere has a relatively high Ti content (mean value of TiO2 in OIB’s is 2.86), while Ti content of basaltic magma from the lithosphere mantle is relatively low. High TiO2 content in alkali basalts rocks (2.46%-3.66%), mainl y comes from the asthenosphere mantle, except for D26-10 sample. For the tholeiitic samples TiO2 (0.44%-0.56%) content is low. 5.5. Evaluation of Tectonic setting Basaltic magmas are known to be emplaced in a variety of tectonic settings including intraplate continental or oceanic environments, intraplate rift zone settings, fast and slow spreading mid-oceanic ridges, island arcs, and back-arc basins (Pearce et al., 1973; Manikyamba et al., 2014). It is further demonstrated that, the Dabieshan orogenic belt has a complex evolution history, and different tectonic settings occurred in its southern and northern slopes in the Early Paleozoic (Ma et al., 2005). The enrichment in HFSE and LREE of the alkaline basalts may be directly derived from the asthenospheric mantle such as ocean island basalts (OIB) like source or the small degree partial melting of a normal-type MORB. On the other hand, contents of the basalts from Lanjiafan Formation suggest that the basaltic protoliths might have been derived from an enriched mantle source. The positive Eu anomaly points to the early plagioclase phenocryst accumulation in the magma chamber, may suggest that they originated from the plagioclase-bearing mantle reservoir and experienced the low degree of partial melting (Frey et al., 1987). As a result, the primary magma of the alkaline suite is possibly generated from the partial melting of the asthenospheric mantle caused by a mantle plume. However, the high contents of HFSE (e.g. Nb, Ti and Ta) relatively high Ti/Y (mostly >350), except for four samples (D26-7, D26-8, D26-10 and D26-11) and low Hf/Ta (mostly Even, the ratios of Zr/Y (10.00-12.47ppm) and Zr/Sm (29.20-34.38ppm) are similar to many intra-plate basalts (Zr/Y>3.5 and Zr/Sm So the alkali basalts from Lanjiafan Formation exhibit some characteristics of the within-plate basalts, they may have been derived from ocean floor, ocean plateau or mature back-arc basin basalts, because they have significant positive Nb anomalies (Floyd, 1989) (fig 4.6a). Most of oceanic island are generally considered to be related ascending plumes of hot mantle (Wilson, 1989). In conclusion the basalts from Lanjiafan Formation are likely formed in an extension-related within-plate environment probably induced by a mantle plume, rather than the supra-subduction zone. Chapter 6: Conclusion and Suggestions 6.1. Conclusion In summary, the Lanjiafan Formation is widely dominated by basaltic rocks, which are mostly alkaline rocks. These basalts contain basanite, trachyte, and rhyodacite. Through advanced Zircon dating method, we first obtained the ages of the of set of these basalts in the southwest Suizhou tectonic zone 459.5-464.4 Ma, which belong to the middle Ordovician, suggesting that a tectono-magma event affected the study area during Paleozoic, which might be the response to occurred of alkaline basalts in the Lanjiafan Formation. The CL images of zircon show that the zircons from the basaltic rocks are off magmatic type and most of them are euhedral. The basalts contain plagioclase phenocryst altered, magnetite, and calcite and pyroxene minerals. Geochemically, the analyzed basalts, which have a large variation of LOI, indicate that the basalts rocks from Lanjiafan Formation experienced of the strong alteration. These alkaline basalts present a weak Eu and Sr anomalies imply minor fraction crystallization of plagioclase, and suggesting that they undergone significant crustal contamination. Thus, the basalts from Lanjiafan Formation were likely derived from a relatively less depleted mantle, and the alkaline basaltic magmas were assimilated with minor crustal components. For sub alkaline basalts, the high Th content (>2.5ppm) and Th-U positive anomaly indicate contamination with upper crustal materials. The basalts from Lanjiafan Formation may be formed in an extension-related within-plate environment probably induced by a mantle plume. Being part of the South Qinling-South Dabieshan Paleozoic alkaline rock belt, the basalts from Lanjiafan Formation result from the Paleozoic extension-initial rifting in the northern margin of the Yangtze Craton.

The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn Essay -- Literary Analysis, Mark Twa

Often throughout a person’s life negative and positive influences are infused into one’s mind through friends, and family. In Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the lead character, grows up under the guidance of three different adult views on how a boy should behave. Huck, the lead character, learns helpful and damaging life lessons from the Widow Douglas, Miss Watson, Jim, and pap. To begin with, the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson are two wealthy sisters who adopt Huck. Thw two sister’s want to teach Huck the importance of religion, manners, and behaving. After staying in the house for a while, Huck realizes that â€Å"it [is] rough living in the house all the time†, because the Widow Douglas wants to â€Å"sivilize [him]†(Twain, 1). When dinner is ready the widow would call Huck to the table, but before they began eating the widow needs â€Å"to tuck down her head and grumble a little over the victuals† (1). Huck knew there was nothing was wrong with the food but because the widow was religious she was trying to instill in Huck that he needs to bless his food and give thanks to God for it. The widow is trying to make religion a part of Huck’s life, which seems to be a negative impact on his life considering the many times Twain portrays religious persons as being gullible. Miss Watson, the more forceful of the two sisters, i s adamant about getting huck to behave. To help mold Huck into a person that â€Å"go[es] to the good place† also known as heaven, Miss Watson constantly tells him things to do to help him behave such as â€Å"don’t put your feet up there† and â€Å"set up straight†(2). Besides adopting a religion, and behaving, Hucks appearance needed to be neat and respectable. Although the new clothes made Huck â€Å"sweat and sweat,... ...who has ever â€Å"kep’ his promise to ole Jim† (80). Another character quality that Huck learns from Jim is that African-Americans are people too that can feel the same about their family as Caucassians feel about theirs. Huck often hears Jim moaning in the night about being homesick and missing his family. This is when Huck understands that just because Jim is African-American does not mean that they are incapable of having the same feelings as Caucassians. In general Jim affects Huck positively because now Huck is humble, trustworthy, and not as influenced by society about African-Americans. Ultimately, Huck’s personality is shaped by three adults with different guidance styles. In general Miss Watson, Widow Douglas, and Jim put in beneficial character traits to help shape Huck Finn as a person, while pap only added worthless drivel such as not going to school.

Faulkner’s Relationship with his Daughter in the Film, William Faulkner

Faulkner’s Relationship with his Daughter in the Film, William Faulkner: A Life on Paper William Faulkner: A Life on Paper presents Faulkner as a struggling writer, father, and human being. He was moody, a periodic alcoholic, often in debt, affected in manner, and seemingly unable to make and retain significant relationships. Yet despite his apparent failings as a man (or perhaps because of them), Faulkner is perhaps the most successful and influential American literary artist of the 20th-century. Faulkner paved the way for many women writers to take up their pens and continue his literary quest into humankind’s psyche and the truth of our existence. His fathering of the many writers we will be reading this semester was a significant one; however, I am unsure if Jill Faulkner Sommers is able to forgive her father for his apparent neglect of fathering his true daughter. It is a commonly supposed that geniuses are able to produce their masterpieces because they are geniuses - because they do not act according to the customary social expectations of â€Å"average† human beings. They ...

Why Gender Matters in Understanding September 11th :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

Usually when the word gender is used in a political sense often times what is described is the role of women in a certain aspect of politics. This paper is a look at certain social norms that are directly related to women and their rights that seem to allow and harbor terrorist. The idea of the article that I am basing this paper on is by Amy Caiazza Ph.D. who suggests that if we were to change some of our ways in society regarding women we might have been able to foresee the events of the September 11th attacks. Historically women have taken a back seat to men in almost every aspect of life we were always second choice. Fortunately for us as the time moves forward we see a dramatic increase in the role that women play in society today. Though our progress has been great there are still women who are not satisfied with the place in society that women have. Locally here in the U.S. women have it pretty good and most of them tend not to complain but there are those feminist that want women abroad to be able to experience the same freedoms that the women of America enjoy and some times take for granted. Women in our traditional roles or as some may say in our natural state are known as the child bearers, family care takers, household keeper, and nurturer of all. The list that I just stated is only the beginning of what a woman can do. In other countries for example in Afghanistan in 1997 when the now popular Taliban first came into power they put into practice a radical form of Islamic rule known as Sharia. This radical rule that they governed with limited women in so many ways the women of Afghanistan were not allowed to educate themselves. These women were also not allowed to participate in any form of activism and were not able to even have a physical position in their own society. When women have been found in violation of these rules the end results were never too good. In fact many women have been beaten and put to death once they were caught breaking the rules.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These acts of disrespect and violence against women are no secret to the United States of America. America jokingly is often called the world police and is known for â€Å"sticking their nose in other peoples business† but for some unknown reason they have taken no action against the Taliban for these injustices they are imposing on the women of Afghanistan.

It Is Important to Have a Realistic View of Life

People say that its important to have a realistic view of life. For most people, to not have a realistic view of life is to risk of failure to achieve ones goals and dreams. such people usually become more lonely or bitter. every so often, one person refuses to accept what others call a realistic view of life and instead insist on changing the world around them to fit the vision that they have in their head. People have the power to change the world for the better or worse, for good and evil. Bin Laden is a perfect example for this.Unfortunately he used violence and pain to try to force his view on others and not to convince them by superior thoughts. If people do not achieve their goals and dreams, they might be unhappy or unsatisfied for the rest of their lives. For example, a person who dreams of becoming a doctor, but never gets to medical school, she would probably be very disappointed. The same thing applies for any goals a person has in their life. For this reason, it is impor tant that people choose realistic goals that can be achieved.Some people in this world however, refuses to accept the idea that they cannot achieve ant dreams they have. A person like this may decide to be a doctor even when their teacher says that her grade are not good enough to pass. A person like this will study very hard and would also study to intensely that she will do whatever she needs to do to achieve good grades. People like this are sometimes the people who changes the world around them, Instead of letting the world tell them what they can and cannot do.These people pursue their dreams and try to make the world fit their dreams. So by doing this they can make their own reality. People who refuse to accept a limit to their dreams can have the power to change the world. Many famous inventors in history did not listen to people around them who said â€Å"give it up† or â€Å"it won't work†. The famous Wrights Brothers were one of the many to deny these people and follow their dreams. As a result, they helped changed the world and now many people fly around the world because of them. They made a huge impact in the world and has change history.Not all people refuse to listen to others and follow their dreams are good. Of course the Wright Brothers and world famous scientists like Albert Einstein can be seen as positive impact because of the inventions they have created to help the world, but there are many others such as Bin Laden who peruses his dreams to hurt the world. He was probably been told various of times that he will not be able to beat The United States of America and change the world. He has refused to listen to these people and has gone on to fight a war.In contrast, both Bin Laden and Einstein have unrealistic view of life and both have dreams that they want to pursue. The only difference is that one is positive while the other is negative. In conclusion for most people, it is important to have a realistic view of life since they risk unhappiness if they do not succeed. There are a few people for whom a realistic view of life is not needed since they believe they can change the world through their actions. Hopefully people will change the world for the better and not worse.