100 word minimum response for each question, give your feedback(your opinion) on each question.

The January 6, 2021, assault on the United States Capitol encompassed a variety of transgressions, each of which was associated with a specific mental state as delineated in the Model Penal Code (MPC). First, individuals who violated the entryways physically did so with the intent or knowledge to commit offenses such as trespassing and entering (Robinson & Robinson, 2022). Their deliberate breach of the safety boundaries of the Capitol demonstrated an unmistakable intention to enter the premises in an unauthorized manner. Furthermore, individuals who resorted to physically assaulting law enforcement officers indeed committed acts of assault, potentially even escalating to the level of aggravated assault (Robinson & Robinson, 2022). Such actions clearly indicate a deliberate and conscious state of mind on their part. Engaging in the assault of law enforcement personnel constitutes a purposeful and premeditated endeavour aimed at inflicting harm, thereby aligning with these elevated cognitive conditions.      

            Thirdly, the destruction of government-owned assets, such as acts of vandalism, was most likely carried out with a deliberate or conscious intention (Ferzan, 2018). Deliberately damaging government assets demonstrates a deliberate decision to participate in illegal activities. Fourth, individuals who urinated on the floors of the Capitol could potentially be prosecuted for public indecency or criminal mischief, which are serious offenses that require intent or knowledge (Ferzan, 2018). This action demonstrated deliberate impropriety and a distinct cognizance of the unsuitable characteristics of the conduct.

            In addition to these main groups, those who seized goods from Capitol offices most likely did so with the intention of stealing something or breaking into a building with knowledge or purpose (McDermott, 2021). Depending on their level of awareness of the ongoing illegal conduct, those who entered the Capitol after the initial breach may face charges of trespassing, maybe with a knowing or reckless mental state. Individuals who gained access to the Capitol subsequent to the original breach may face charges of trespassing, possibly with a mental state characterized by either knowledge or recklessness, based on their degree of information regarding the ongoing illegal activities. Ultimately, individuals assuming the role of citizen journalists who document the aforementioned event may find themselves potentially implicated in charges related to aiding and abetting or conspiracy (McDermott, 2021). The extent to which they may be held accountable would depend on their level of participation and their awareness of the ongoing criminal activities, ranging from a state of negligence to one of conscious knowledge.

QUESTION 1

What do you think of the defense that the Capitol building is “the people’s house,” so any member of the public has an unfettered right to enter the building at any time? Would this defense negate culpability for the offense of criminal trespass? Why or why not?

QUESTION 2

Do you think the punishments that have been imposed for the most violent acts at the Capitol on January 6 have been too harsh, too lenient, or reasonable under the circumstances?

150 word minimum for each paper.. give your feedback(your opinion) on each paper

PAPER#1 MILES

Emergency management is a complex and collaborative effort that involves coordination among various sectors, including the public sector, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector. Each sector plays a crucial role in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impact of emergencies and disasters. The public sector, which includes government agencies at various levels (local, state, and federal), is often considered the primary entity responsible for emergency management. Government agencies are involved in planning, coordination, and execution of emergency response efforts (Janeway et al., 2021). They allocate resources, enact and enforce policies, and provide essential services during and after emergencies. 

The nonprofit sector, including organizations like the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies, plays a vital role in emergency management. These organizations often provide direct assistance to affected communities, including shelter, medical aid, and relief supplies (Yatsco et al., 2020). The private sector, comprising businesses and corporations, is essential for maintaining critical infrastructure and ensuring the continuity of essential services. Private companies contribute resources, expertise, and logistical support during emergencies. For example, telecommunications companies may assist in communication restoration, and logistics companies may help transport and distribute relief supplies.

One fundamental aspect of homeland security preparedness is risk assessment and planning. This involves a comprehensive understanding of potential hazards, whether they be natural disasters, terrorist threats, or other emergencies. Additionally, training and exercises are critical components to ensure that both emergency responders and the general public are well-prepared to handle various scenarios (Vogt et al., 2022). Regular drills and simulations help refine response strategies, enhance coordination, and build a resilient and knowledgeable community capable of effectively navigating crises (Janeway et al., 2021).

Interagency coordination poses a significant challenge in the realm of preparedness. Different government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities may operate under distinct protocols and procedures, making seamless collaboration difficult. Community engagement is also crucial but challenging. Encouraging public participation in preparedness efforts is hindered by factors such as complacency and a lack of awareness among community members (Yatsco et al., 2020). Resource allocation is a perpetual challenge in the field of emergency management. Limited financial and human resources may constrain the ability to adequately prepare for and respond to emergencies. 

PAPER#2 STEVEN

Emergency management is a responsibility shared across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors; each plays a critical role. Effective emergency management requires a coordinated effort from all these sectors working together. Local, state, and federal government agencies are primarily responsible for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation (Zimmerman, 2015). These agencies coordinate disaster responses, provide emergency services, and manage public safety resources. Examples include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States, local law enforcement, and public health departments (Zimmerman, 2015). Nonprofit organizations often provide support services during emergencies, such as food, shelter, medical aid, and counseling (Squier, 2023). They work in tandem with government agencies to address the immediate and long-term needs of affected individuals and communities. Examples include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and numerous local community-based organizations. Private businesses can play a significant role in emergency management. For instance, companies can contribute resources, expertise, and logistics support (Squier, 2023). They also have a role in managing risks and ensuring business continuity during and after an emergency.

           In some cases, the government can contract the private sector to provide specific services during emergencies, such as waste management or infrastructure repair. Emergency management is considered a “whole community” effort, meaning that it requires the participation of everyone – not just government agencies but also businesses, nonprofits, and the public (Zimmerman, 2015). The effectiveness of emergency response and recovery often depends on how well these different sectors can coordinate their efforts and work together.

            Preparedness in homeland security involves various components designed to ensure the nation is ready to respond to and recover from both man-made and natural disasters. Preparedness begins with planning, which involves developing comprehensive disaster response plans that cover a range of potential scenarios (Demchak et al., 2022). Planning includes identifying potential threats, setting out clear roles and responsibilities, and detailing procedures for coordination between different agencies. Also, ensuring that the necessary personnel, structures, and equipment are in place is vital (Demchak et al., 2022). This includes everything from emergency response teams to communication systems.

            Additionally, regular and rigorous training is essential to ensure that all personnel understand their roles and can perform them effectively under pressure (Demchak et al., 2022). This includes ongoing skills development, regular drills, and exercises to test and refine plans. Moreover, regular testing of plans through exercises is crucial, as is the subsequent evaluation of performance. This testing, evaluation, and refinement cycle is how plans improve over time. Also, the public needs to be informed about potential risks and what they can do to prepare (Demchak et al., 2022). Clear communication before, during, and after an event is crucial. The most challenging areas can vary depending on the specific context, but one more challenging than others is communicating effectively with the public during a crisis. This includes providing timely and accurate information, combating misinformation, and managing public fears and expectations.

PAPER#3 KING

The criminal justice system has come a long way from the history described in the class book of tax collectors and doing the bidding of legislators (Stojkovic et al., 2015). The purpose changes a long with the means that the services where allowed to be conducted. The use of rules and regulations became a thing in the early twentieth century, followed by the use of policies and procedures later on in attempt to restore the public trust. Another important aspect that should be mentioned is the fact that ever part of the criminal justice system has conflicting goals that the public expects to be followed.

The class book gave examples of the conflicting guild lines that the criminal justice system is expected to follow, and it is not hard to see why people may lose trust in the system based on what priorities they feel are more critical (Stojkovic et al., 2015). One example is, “courts may pursue justice but temper that goal with mercy” (Stojkovic et al., 2015 p.7). When looking at the tough of crime era with the political goal of locking up criminals and throwing away the key that was better referred to as the three strikes rule it seems mercy was not listed on the agenda. “Process model of criminal offending to investigate how varying sentence lengths and definitions of what constitutes a strike affect the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these sentencing laws” (Caulkins, 2001 p.227). The terrorist issue that the United States had back on two thousand also played a large role in the shift in focus.

Due to so many positions in the criminal justice system running mostly off of the discretion of the individual holding that position, opinions can shift very quickly when it comes a person is meeting the criminal justice goals. The fact that the prison systems are overrun with people shows what goal was the main focus and now society is reaching a point they are looking for a more reformative approach versus the old eye for an eye, way of thinking. “Mass incarceration has resulted in the United States having the world’s largest incarcerated population and the highest rate of incarceration. Consequently, nearly 1 in 4 Americans has a criminal record” (Shaikh et al., 2021 p.19). The situation remains that there is a process that is followed for those individuals that break the laws along with a new reformative approach but there is little research on how affective the system is at fixing the problem to help the public opinion on the correct course of action.