Education
Honors Contracts
1st year
Fall 2022
Including People with Disabilites in Public Safety
I completed the FEMA certification on Including People With Disabilities & Others With Access & Functional Needs in Disaster Operation and conducted an Interview with Adaptive Education Services. This project was accepted to present at Mid-East Honors Conference.
Spring 2023
A Portrait of Indigent Defense in Marion County, Indiana: Interviews with Three Public Defenders
I conducted my own qualitative research by interviewing three Marion County public defenders about the contemporary issues within their field. I completed this research by drawing connections from the literature to their responses and synthesizing them into a poster.
Honors Contracts
2nd year
Fall 2023
Human Fallibility In Forensic Scientists
I focused on human error and the misrepresentation of data and credentials within forensic scientists. I further divided those into two subtopics: intentional and unintentional. My final argument was that the most important aspect is the way in which the expert relays their testimony to the jury. To conclude, I focused on why this happens and why is it important. Finally, I concluded the paper with a personal connection as to why this is important for future lawyers. This allowed for a comprehensive overview in the fallibility of forensic scientists.
Spring 2024
Illicit Drugs Lab Reports
I completed a lab on illicit drugs and a similarly structures lab report. I performed Class B (Spot Plate Test) and Class C (Thin Layer Chromatography) presumptive tests on the drugs. The lab report summarized the relevant findings, conclusion, and discussion.
Relevant Coursework
SPEA-JÂ 101
American Criminal Justice System
Introduction to the criminal justice system of the United States and its function in contemporary society.
SPEA-J 201
Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies
This course examines the impact of sociological, biological, and economic theories of crime and the practice of criminal justice. Focus is upon the nature and importance of theory, context of theoretical developments, methods for the critical analysis of theoretical developments, and policy implications of the varying perspectives considered.
SPEA-J 202
Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources
Course examines basic concepts of criminal justice. Students become familiar with research techniques necessary for systematic analysis of the criminal justice system, offender behavior, crime trends and program effectiveness. Students will learn to critically evaluate existing research. Students will become familiar with existing sources of criminal justice data and will learn to assess the quality of that data.
SPEA-J 275
Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
This course examines the influence of diversity issues such as race, ethnicity, class, and gender on crime and the treatment of underrepresented groups throughout the American criminal justice system.
SPEA-J 206
The Criminal Courts
An analysis of the criminal justice process from prosecution through appeal. The organization and operation of felony and misdemeanor courts are examined. Topics include prosecutorial decision-making, plea bargaining, judicial selection, and the conduct of trials, sentencing, and appeal.
SPEA-J 303
Evidence
The rules of law governing proof at trial of disputed issues of fact; burden of proof; presumptions and judicial notice; examination, impeachment, competency, and privileges of witnesses; hearsay rule and exceptions-all related as nearly as possible to criminal, as opposed to civil, process.
SPEA-J 311
Criminal Law and Procedure
Students will examine development, limitations, and application of substantive criminal law, and how criminal laws are balanced against Constitutional rights of individuals. Examine the process of cases from commission of crime through trial and sentencing, including suppression hearings, jurisdiction, and burdens of proof, and scope of modern day criminal law.
SPEA-J 321
American Policing
This course will examine the history, evolution, and organization of policing in the United States. Emphasis is placed on such major contemporary issues as the police role, discretion, use of force, corruption, accountability, and community policing.
SPEA-JÂ 331
Corrections
This course examines the historical development of the American Correctional system; the study of administration of local, state, and federal corrections programs including jails, probation, community corrections, and prisons. Includes the study of punishment rationales, current correctional policies, and possibilities for reform.
SPEA-J 439
Crime and Public Policy
A detailed examination of the major efforts designed to control or reduce crime. A review of existing knowledge is followed by an investigation of current crime control theories, proposals, and programs.