List: Testifying Don’ts
For the Unit VIII Assignment, you will prepare a What NOT to Do When Testifyinglist.As you read Chapter 15 in the textbook, take notes on what a professional
law enforcement officer (PLEO) should NOT do when testifying or preparing to
testify in a criminal case and why. Your list should contain a minimum of 21
items that a PLEO should not do.
The first item on your list will be that the PLEO
should NEVER commit perjury while testifying. Perjury is knowingly telling a
lie under oath about something that is important to the case.
As you read through Chapter 15, look for 20 more
actions/behaviors that the PLEO should avoid. Prepare a document with the
title: What NOT
to Do When Testifying.Item #1 has been
provided for you. After each item, provide a brief statement with your
rationale for including the item. Use a format similar to the one shown below:
What NOT to Do
When Testifying
1. You should NEVER commit perjury while
testifying. Perjury is knowingly telling a lie under oath about something that
is important to the case.
a. If a PLEO commits perjury while testifying, the
officer may lose his or her job, he or she may face imprisonment and a fine,
the defendant may be acquitted, and it reflects negatively on the professionalism
and integrity of law enforcement.
2. [Continue with the next item.]
Use the following checklist to ensure that you have
addressed all of the requirements for this assignment. The checklist will also
be used by your instructor to evaluate your submission.
_The list
contains 21 items.·
_Each item
is followed by a brief statement giving the rationale for the item.·
_Your
document follows the format provided in the example.·
_Your
document is reflective of the written communication skills required of a
college student in that it is accurate, concise, and professional in appearance
with proper spelling and grammar.·
NOTE:The goal is to create an understandable,
easy-to-follow list of behaviors and actions to avoid, while testifying to
maintain the professional image of you and your organization, as well as the
integrity of law enforcement.
Your list should be at least two pages. Be sure to
cite, in APA format, any source used to influence your response. Therefore,
your reference list should include a citation of the textbook, as you are
required to apply the concepts discussed in the textbook to the scenario.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading
Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
APA Guidelines
The application of the APA writing style shall be
practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary
purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students
use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully
read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric
when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide in the myCSU Student
Portal by clicking on the “Citation Resources” link in the “Learning Resources”
area. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides
information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.
