write a 750-1000 word paper critically analyzing the problems associated
with misdemeanors in our criminal justice system, as outlined in the book Punishment Without
Crime.
For the paper, you may choose one topic from the following options:
1) Further research one of the topics from Chapter 1 of Punishment Without Crime and its
relationship to charging people with misdemeanors in the American criminal justice system.
This is referring to those topics in bold headings, e.g. probation, warrants, immigration, etc.
Discuss the impact of your chosen topic (in relationship to misdemeanors) on creating inequality
in the criminal justice system.
2) Find a real case (not mentioned in the book) in the media of a person who has experienced this
phenomenon of being negatively impacted through being charged with a misdemeanor in the
United States. Make sure the case is current (last 5-10 years). Discuss how the topics outlined
in Punishment Without Crime apply to this person’s case. How can this case be connected to
larger issues of inequality in the criminal justice system?
Sample Solution