Criminological Theories of the State Attorney’s Office

• Apply your knowledge and expertise of criminological theories to discuss the theoretical basis of the State Attorney’s Office 4th Judicial Circuit

(i.e. rational choice, social learning, etc.).

• Explain the basic assumptions of the underlying theory. (At least 2-3 paragraphs)

• In what way does this or these theories influence the daily operations of your organization?

• If you or if you believe the public have identified challenges or disappointments with the operation of your agency, utilizing current field research put together an action plan to deal with the challenges. (Pretend you are in charge, what would you do?)

Composition of Paper #1

The paper should have the following section titles clearly labeled with supporting documentation.

1. Title page

2. Introduction/Abstract (brief description of the agency)

3. Theory(s) employed by the agency.

4. How the theory(s) influence the daily operations of the agency.

5. Problem areas (areas of concern) identified within the agency.

6. Proposed action plan (proposed solutions) to address the issues.

7. Discussion of expected results of implementing the action plan.

8. How the action plan will impact other agencies, cities, counties etc.

9. Identify limitations of your proposed solution

10. Conclusions

11. Reference page

12. Appendices (if necessary)

The approximate length of the paper (body) should be 5-7 pages (double spaced, does not include references or appendices). Paper length does not include title page, references, and any appendices.

ANSWER

Criminological Theories of the State Attorney’s Office

Introduction

The State Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of every crime committed in Nassau, Clay, and Duval counties. It is the biggest law firm in Northeastern, Florida. The office majors in the prosecution and investigation of different cases, including violent and murder crimes, drug trafficking, impaired driving, sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence, to mention a few. The office is divided into various divisions, and each division is assigned different case categories. For example, the Circuit Court Division is responsible for every reported felony prosecutions (State Attorney Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, 2017). Their mission is to uphold the safety of the public in a just and fair manner. Their priority is to keep the community safe by prosecuting the individuals who disrupt the community. The second is always to make sure the pursuit of justice occurs in a fair, thoughtful and transparent way that promotes trust in them from the people they serve.

Theory 

The theory that best suits this organization is the Rational Choice Theory. In the criminal world, the rational choice theory is vital because it explains how different people decide. According to this theory, people choose their character and behavior. RCT argues that individuals use rational calculations to make various choices to achieve an outcome, an outcome that relates to their objectives (Hudik, 2019). In addition to this, the results are associated with the best interests of the individual. The theory argues that people often choose to make, but they always opt for the choice that most suits them as they want to protect themselves. Therefore, from this theory, a crime is a personal choice, a person’s decision-making effect. It means that people are responsible and should take responsibility for their choices, and there is nothing wrong with them being blamed for their criminality. The theory’s central argument is that we are rational beings, and it is easier to modify or control our behaviors by a punishment fear. The theory premiers on the belief that our actions depend on evaluating the utility of one behaving in a particular manner so that they can maximize the advantage they have in the situation.

Offending terms, offenders often weigh and calculate the possible consequences and benefits that relate to pursuing a particular crime. After this, they come up with the best choice for them from their evaluations. Therefore, before a person commits any crime, the criminal has calculated the chances and possibilities of being caught, how severe the penalty would be and what they gain by committing the crime. Therefore, if offenders calculate and find the crime’s costs to be so high, the crime to be a risky act or the crime will give little payoff, there are higher chances that they will not commit the crime. The theory relies on many assumptions regarding the process of decision-making and behavioral motivations (Wikstrom & Treiber, 2016). For example, it assumes that people choose to commit a crime after carefully considering the benefits and costs of their actions. It involves them thinking above the personal factors, which include revenge, their need for money and whether or entertainment. It also focuses on situational factors like whether or not a witness is present, how vulnerable the victim is and how fast it will take the police to get to the crime scene. RCT focuses on the available opportunities to commit the act and how situational variables and social environment structures the criminal choices.

Influence of the theory on the Agency

The theory argues that before committing a crime, a person often calculates the possible risks and outcomes associated with the crime. It further argues that a person chooses to pursue a particular crime, and they can be persuaded and talked out of the crime before committing it. It can happen if someone insists and educates the offender on how dangerous the crime might be if committed. In simpler terms, the rational choice theory believes that it is possible to change a person’s decision in various ways regarding a crime before actually committing it (Paternoster, 2010). The theory is essential in the Agency’s daily operations because it guides the Agency in various ways to help its clients become better citizens. For example, the State Attorney’s Office has various Juvenile Diversion programs with intervention and prevention strategies. The programs are helpful to youths and families that need resources that can help them become productive and better citizens.

The State Attorney’s Office has, for example, a Youthful Offender Program that is specifically designed for first-time juvenile offenders. With this program, juveniles, together with their parents, take part in a hearing that a specially trained officer conducts. During the hearing, sanctions that provide speedy justice and encourage youth to look back and think about their committed crimes are offered. It is possible to complete the program within three months after which, charges against the offender are dismissed. The office also has a Juvenile Diversion Alternative Program. The program is for useful offenders who are at risk of becoming chronic or serious offenders (State Attorney Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, 2017). The office sends them to this program for programming and intensive supervision as a way of diversion to help them. They do this to save and help change the youths to prevent them from becoming chronic offenders.

Areas of Concern

The State Attorney’s Office, just like any law firm, undergoes different challenges. The main area of concern I have noticed the public complain about regarding this Agency is they constantly complain of unsatisfying results and poor time management. Most clients were constantly complaining that the lawyers are always late to their meetings despite having appointments with their lawyers. One client said he had to wait for the lawyer to handle his case for almost two hours. It is essential to remember that in every business, the client is an essential part of it. Therefore, client satisfaction should always be at the topmost priority.

Proposed Solutions

To improve time management in the office, here are some steps that can help lawyers and law firms lose their clients.

• First, one should always plan their days before it. It is essential to be aware of what is required of one before attempting to maximize productivity. They can do this by developing a strategy on how tasks on the list are handled. After which, one should train themselves and stick to the strategy.
• Secondly, lawyers should use more technological advancements to save time instead of wasting time on outdated research methods.
• Lastly, lawyers should avoid distractions. Phones are the most common distractors of every human being. Therefore it is essential to set limits to checking social media accounts and checking phones.

Clients are the reasons businesses and law firms run. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that every client who leaves the premises leave happier than they came in. therefore, law firms should ensure that every team member does his best to receive the best customer service experience. Below are some solutions to the customer service challenge

• First, every firm must create high expectations of their customer services to the employees. They can do this by requesting their team to treat all clients with the utmost respect and courtesy.
• Secondly, law firms should hire highly qualified teams to efficiently, aggressively and effectively hand client cases to their very best.

Expected Results

If clients are happy with the services they get from a certain agency, there are higher chances that the law firm would effectively grow. In addition to this, if a firm hires competent and highly qualified staff, the firm’s reputation grows, and every person with a case would want to be like them. Therefore, paying attention to the client’s demands helps a law firm grow and produces satisfied and happy clients who recommend the firm to others to thrive. Time management in the Agency helps lawyers serve their customers better, and it also enables the staff to have an improved balance between work and normal life. If the plan works, other agencies will be challenged, and they will want to be like this one. Therefore, they will thrive on being like The State Attorney’s Office as it will be their role model.

Limitations

• The most obvious limitation of time management is that it is almost impossible to control what one does when they are in the office or after work (Peeters & Rutte, 2005). Therefore, a lawyer may be on the phone all night chit-chatting with their friends, who may miss essential client appointments.
• Secondly, it might be time-effective teaching staff on how to use more advanced technological methods. It is so because they are used to their old research methods.

Conclusion

Rational choice theory is an essential aspect of the normal operations of this Agency. It prepares the layers on their daily occurrences and how to handle them. However, just like any law firm or business, the Agency has faced some challenges. However, these challenges are manageable, and with a little more rules, the Agency will be fine. The team members should be educated to understand the importance of customer satisfaction in every business.

References

Home – State Attorney Office For The Fourth Judicial Circuit. State Attorney Office For The Fourth Judicial Circuit. (2017). Retrieved 7 November 2020, from https://www.sao4th.com/.

Hudik, M. (2019). Two interpretations of the rational choice theory and the relevance of behavioral critique. Rationality and Society, 31(4), 464-489.

Paternoster, R. (2010). How much do we really know about criminal deterrence?. The journal of criminal law and criminology, 765-824.

Peeters, M. A., & Rutte, C. G. (2005). Time management behavior as a moderator for the job demand-control interaction. Journal of occupational health psychology, 10(1), 64.

Wikström, P. O. H., & Treiber, K. (2016). Situational theory: The importance of interactions and action mechanisms in the explanation of crime. The handbook of criminological theory, 1, 415-444.

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