Essay Instructions: THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP TO ORDER #2125481
Research Paper/General Instructions
This course requires a 1750-word, research paper based upon a hypothetical scenario. A minimum of three references are required with no more than one from Internet sources. This does not include cases which the student may cite to support their recommendations. Additionally, at least four cases must be cited. The paper must include a running head, page numbers, cover page, abstract, introduction, discussion, conclusion, and references. You are required to use no more than 15% of others quoted work.
1. Technical
The completed research paper should be typed in MS Word only, Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced format with footnotes and bibliographic references, not less than 8 pages nor exceeding 12 pages in length. It will have a minimum word count of 1750 words. This page requirement does not include an abstract or bibliography page. Always check for grammar, spelling, and proper citation before submitting your work.
This is not a personal opinion paper; all of it must be backed up by your research. Your paper should cite those sources you are relying on to formulate the pros and cons as well as your final recommendations. Your paper should include a minimum of five reference sources. These references can be five cases or five journal articles or a combination of cases and articles.
2. Background
You are the Special Assistant to the Saint Leo Chief of Police (or, Saint Leo County Sheriff, as you prefer). As such, you are a very trusted and dependable aide. The chief relies on you for your good judgment, experience, and analytical abilities.
The Chief/Sheriff is fairly new to the Saint Leo Police Department (SLPD/SLCSO). There are many problems in the department, not all of which are the fault of this chief. However, the Chief/Sheriff wants to address some of the more pressing problems and resolve them, without litigation if possible.
The Department?s General Counsel is involved in ongoing litigation and is not available to provide guidance, and outside counsel is expensive and premature at this point. The Chief/Sheriff knows you are not an attorney, but you do have a Master?s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Saint Leo University. The Chief/Sheriff knows that this respected institution has educated you well for this task. Therefore, the Chief/Sheriff needs your analysis of the facts and the relevant law on the problems presented.
The various problems confronting the Chief/Sheriff can be found at the end of this document. Be sure to notify your professor by the conclusion of Module 2 as to the scenario you are selecting.
3. Format
Your paper is to be structured as follows for each separate fact situation you are researching. In your paper, put each of the sub-headings listed below in bold, so that it is clear to the reader that you are following the mandatory format:
a. Summary of Facts ? This is a summary of the facts which are relevant to the issue you are researching. You may add some facts but only if they are necessary to your research.
b. Issues Presented ? What legal issues are created by the facts with which you are presented? The Sheriff usually presents more than one.
c. Arguments Presented by Each Side ? How many sides are there? What is the best case for each side?
d. Applicable Law ? This is where you describe the cases, statutes, regulations, and other sources from your research which are relevant to your issues. If some of the cases briefed in the course apply to your issues, you may cite them. However, you must also show that you have conducted independent research and describe different cases which are relevant.
e. Recommendation ? This is where you advise the Sheriff as to what decisions should be made regarding the issues at hand.
f. Reasons ? In this section, tell the Sheriff why you made those recommendations. Remember, the Sheriff wants the legal basis for your recommendations, NOT your personal opinions.
g. Core Values ? In this section, describe the Saint Leo core values which are implicated in the arguments presented by each side and in your recommendations.
h. Bibliography ? This should contain non-legal references only. Legal case citations should be in footnotes in the body of your paper; follow APA guidelines for citations.
Address each fact situation in your selected scenario separately and write your advisory memorandum to the Sheriff, using each of the sub-headings above. Then go on to the next fact situation and repeat the format. The mandatory format is designed to assist you with focusing on all of the issues while addressing them as separate issues. Some may be easier to address than others.
4. Citation Format
The Sherriff wants to read your legal memo, not a bunch of text citations, so put them in footnotes. APA provides for this. This does not mean you should not have a well-researched memo, with abundant citations; rather, it simply means you should put your citations in footnotes.