For this unit’s Complete assignment, write a comprehensive scholarly essay (
minimum 1500 words) in which you analyze, explain, and apply these concepts in the context of a criminal justice organizational issue. You must incorporate and cite, using correct APA citation format, at least (4)
four different scholarly research sources. In-line citations must be used in the body of your essay, and all research sources must be fully cited at the
conclusion of your essay. Correct APA citation formats must be used.

Key Concepts: 
corpus delicti, ex post facto, motive, intent, and opportunity  

Capstone Cases: 
Illinois v. Lara, California v. Towler, 641 P. 2d 1253 (Cal. 1982), 
Smith v. Doe, Rogers v. Tennessee, 532 U.S. 45 (2001). 

Assignment: In a narrative format for the Complete section, construct one essay which addresses the following points: The minimum requirements for Completes are four (4) scholarly sources including at least one peer reviewed journal article (one published within the last seven years).Your essay must contain a minimum of 1500 words of substantive content, not including the references section. All citations must be listed in correct APA 7th edition format and all other relevant APA rules must be observed.

The narrative essay should clearly define the key concepts of 
corpus delicti and 
ex post facto, 
motive, intent, and 
opportunity principles and will apply these principles to the Capstone cases of 
Illinois v. Lara, California v. Towler, 641 P. 2d 1253 (Cal. 1982), 
Smith v. Doe, and
 Rogers v. Tennessee, 532 U.S. 45 (2001).  Your response will include the overview of the cases and will also need to address each question or statement listed below in an essay format.

· In the case of  
Illinois v. Lara, A jury found the defendant, Jason Lara, guilty of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault based on the claim that he sexually penetrated an eight-year-old girl. On appeal, Lara argued that the State failed to prove the 
corpus delicti of the offense because the State failed to present any evidence corroborating Lara’s confession that he sexually penetrated the alleged victim. Provide some examples of how 
corpus delicti could have been proven for the more serious sexual assault offense alleged at issue in the case.

· Do you believe that 
corpus delicti serves an important purpose, or should confessions be allowed to stand alone as evidence to support convictions?

· Read the court’s opinion in 
California v. Towler, 641 P. 2d 1253 (Cal. 1982). Discuss how a defendant’s 
motive, intent, and 
opportunity can contribute to evidentiary proof that a murder has occurred.

· In the capstone Case: 
Smith v. Doe, the Alaska Sex Offender Registration Act requires convicted sex offenders to register with law enforcement authorities, and much of the information is made public. The U.S. Supreme Court considers whether the registration requirement is a retroactive punishment prohibited by the Ex Post Facto Clause. Do you find that the Alaska registration law is not punitive and therefore not 
an ex post facto law? Why or why not?

· Should restrictions on 
ex post facto laws apply to administrative procedures, such as parole hearings, or should they only apply to laws that define crimes themselves?

· Read and compare the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 
Rogers v. Tennessee, 532 U.S. 451 (2001), where the Court considered whether a trial court can retroactively alter a common law rule that governs causation in homicide cases. What considerations does the Court identify determining whether to allow a retroactive change to the state’s longstanding common law rule?

· Which opinion—majority or dissenting—do you find more legally persuasive?