KEY FEATURES • A brief introduction to the U.S. judicial system and to the public policy dimension of judicial decisions provides context for the material. • Criminal and regulatory laws are presented with contrasting views on various contemporary public policy issues, including assault weapons, hate crimes, stand your ground laws, police use of deadly force, and much more. • A question for debate and learning objectives appear at the beginning of each chapter. The debate format features contemporary topical issues that engage students and ask them to consider various points of view. • Brief essays introduce students to each debate and put the issue into context to help students understand how policy issues arise in criminal justice and law. • Summaries of the positions follow the debate sections to ensure students have a clear understanding of the contrasting arguments. • “You Decide” exercises and discussion questions appear at the end of each debate to give students the opportunity to apply what they read to new and novel situations.

Evidence: Rap Music

3.4 evidence: Rap music

Should Rap Lyrics Composed by a Defendant Be Used at Trial to Establish the Defendant’s Guilt?

  • Understand how prosecutors use rap lyrics to help establish a defendant’s guilt at trial.
  • Know why the use of rap lyrics may prejudice a jury against a defendant.
  • State the arguments for and against the introduction of rap music at trial.

Oppose Using Rap Lyrics at Trial

Justice Nancy Saitta, dissenting, Holmes v. State, 306 P.3d 415 (Nev. 2013)

Support Using Rap Lyrics at Trial

Chief Justice Kristina Pickering, majority opinion, Holmes v. State, 306 P.3d 415 (Nev. 2013)

Introduction

In the past few years, a number of state courts have allowed prosecutors to use rap music written by defendants against the defendants at trial. This evidence has been used to ...

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