public policy and laws

1.Court decisions and events shape public policy and laws are constantly created and honed regarding the actions of criminal justice professionals.  It is important to stay up to date with current information and laws.  Please find a current news article about a topic covered in CRJA 2400 over the past 10 weeks. Explain why you chose the article and why the incident is newsworthy. Also, comment on your classmates articles as to the significance of the information present in the article to evidence and the criminal justice system.

2. In the recent massacre near UC Santa Barbara, questions have been raised regarding potential evidence the suspect had in his possession and had posted online.  The suspect, Elliot Rodger, purchased weapons and posted disturbing videos online prior to his contact with police during a welfare check one month prior to killing six people.  A welfare check was requested by a staffer at a mental health hospital after one of the suspect’s friends reviewed a disturbing video online.  While we are now Monday morning quarterbacking this incident, was evidence present that may have stopped the deaths?

Based on the information provided in the articles, do you believe that police acted as they should have regarding the welfare check?  Would a search of Rodger’s residence violated his 4th amendment rights?  Should a weapons check be requested on all people who have a welfare check completed?  Should YouTube have taken down the videos once they were discovered?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sheriffs-rodger-visit-raises-questions-20140531-story.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-rodger-welfare-20140530-story.html

http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/watch/could-ucsb-killer-have-been-stopped€“267884099957

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/05/27/youtube-finally-takes-down-all-of-elliot-rodgers-videos/