Sample Discussion Board Post for Criminal Justice Submitted by Melissia Anderson Effective writing is so important to criminal justice professionals for many reasons. According to Wallace and Roberson (2009), it is estimated that we use 70% of our time communicating. This may be accomplished either verbally or in writing. A verbal communication is considered less formal, while a written statement is lasting and given more significance. Because written statements are permanent, they are assessed as more significant. A report filed by a law enforcement agent can be used for the prosecution or defense of a defendant in a court of law. Inaccuracies in a written report can result in the failure to convict an individual of a crime. The legal ramifications of unclear or imprecise writing can be substantial. An officer must be able to explain the reasons a report is written and filed. They must be able to defend errors in their reports. Under oath, they will have to testify from the contents of the report. Criminal justice professionals must be able to not only file written reports, but to draft narratives that are comprehensible and logical for others to grasp (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Working in Pretrial Services I know that clarity is particularly essential. If our court officers do not precisely note the judge’s terms or conditions of release, a defendant may inadvertently violate their release. It could cost the individual their freedom. Many times, the judiciary may be vague when defining terms of release. In this instance court communications must be sent to distinguish the original intent from the judge. It wastes valuable time and court resources to clear up ambiguous conditions. Plagiarism involves stealing another person’s ideas or works and using them as your own. Sometimes this can be blatant, like copying sentences word for word without using quotation marks. In other situations, it may be less obvious, such as paraphrasing content from another source but not citing it. This; however, is still plagiarism because that content originated from someone else's ideas or research, not your own. Plagiarism in this instance can be avoided by simply using an in-text citation at the beginning or the end of the paraphrased content. It is always a good idea to cite a source rather than chance an allegation of plagiarism (Keiser University, n.d.). Stealing from another can destroy the credibility of any criminal justice professional. Because they represent the law and courts, law enforcement agents need to be above reproach. Word Count: 401 References Keiser University. (n.d.). Plagiarism [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://keiseruniversity.org Wallace, H., & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal communication: Methods for law enforcement (4th ed.). Pearson Education. Homeland Security Discussion Rubric 5/10/2021 Response No Submission O Points Emerging (F through ...

1. Sample Discussion Board Post for Criminal Justice
Submitted by Melissia Anderson
Effective writing is so important to criminal justice
professionals for many reasons. According to
Wallace and Roberson (2009), it is estimated that we use 70%
of our time communicating. This may be
accomplished either verbally or in writing. A verbal
communication is considered less formal, while a
written statement is lasting and given more significance.
Because written statements are permanent,
they are assessed as more significant. A report filed by a law
enforcement agent can be used for the
prosecution or defense of a defendant in a court of law.
Inaccuracies in a written report can result in the
failure to convict an individual of a crime. The legal
ramifications of unclear or imprecise writing can be
substantial. An officer must be able to explain the reasons a
report is written and filed. They must be
able to defend errors in their reports. Under oath, they will have
to testify from the contents of the
report. Criminal justice professionals must be able to not only
file written reports, but to draft narratives
that are comprehensible and logical for others to grasp (Wallace
& Roberson, 2009).
Working in Pretrial Services I know that clarity is particularly
essential. If our court officers do
not precisely note the judge’s terms or conditions of release, a
defendant may inadvertently violate
their release. It could cost the individual their freedom. Many

2. times, the judiciary may be vague when
defining terms of release. In this instance court communications
must be sent to distinguish the original
intent from the judge. It wastes valuable time and court
resources to clear up ambiguous conditions.
Plagiarism involves stealing another person’s ideas or works
and using them as your own.
Sometimes this can be blatant, like copying sentences word for
word without using quotation marks. In
other situations, it may be less obvious, such as paraphrasing
content from another source but not citing
it. This; however, is still plagiarism because that content
originated from someone else's ideas or
research, not your own. Plagiarism in this instance can be
avoided by simply using an in-text citation at
the beginning or the end of the paraphrased content. It is always
a good idea to cite a source rather
than chance an allegation of plagiarism (Keiser University,
n.d.). Stealing from another can destroy the
credibility of any criminal justice professional. Because they
represent the law and courts, law
enforcement agents need to be above reproach.
Word Count: 401
References
Keiser University. (n.d.). Plagiarism [PowerPoint slides].
Retrieved from http://keiseruniversity.org
Wallace, H., & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal
communication: Methods for law
enforcement (4th ed.). Pearson Education.

3. Homeland Security Discussion Rubric 5/10/2021
Response No Submission
O Points
Emerging (F through
D range)
60
Satisfactory (C Range)
70
Proficient (B Range)
85
Exemplary (A Range)
100
Criterion
score
Quality of
Initial Posting
50%
No Initial
Posting

4. The Information
provided is
inaccurate not
focused on the
assignment topic.
Does not answer the
question fully,
Response
demonstrates
incomplete
understanding of the
topic and /or
inadequate
preparation
The information
provided is accurate
giving a basic
understanding of the
topic(s) covered.
Despite this basic
understanding, initial
posting may nit
include complete
development of all
aspects of the
assignment.
The information
provided is accurate,
displaying a good
understanding of the
topic(s) covered.
Initial posting
demonstrates clear
understanding and

5. addresses most
aspects of the
assignment although
all concepts may not
be fully discussed.
The information
provided is accurate,
providing an in-
depth, well thought-
out understanding of
the topic(s) covered.
The initial post
provides an analysis
of the information
learned from the
course and/or
assigned readings.
Criteria
No Submission
Emerging (F through
D range)
Satisfactory (C Range)
Proficient B Range Exemplary (A Range

6. Criterion
score
Participation
in Discussion
30%
Student did not
submit the
assignment.
May include one or
more of the
following.:
Comments to only
one other student’s
post. Comments are
not substantive, such
as saying “good job”
or comments are off
topic.
Comments to two or
more classmates’
initial posts but only
on one day of the
week. Comments are
substantive and
expand on what
another student
wrote.

7. Comments to two or
more classmates’
initial posts but only
on one day of the
week. Comments are
substantive and
expand on what
another student
wrote.
Comments to two or
more classmates’
initial posts and to
the instructors’
comments (if
applicable) on two or
more days.
Demonstrates an
analysis of peer’s
comments, building
on previous posts.
Criteria No Submission
O Points
Emerging (F through
D range)
Satisfactory (C Range)
Proficient (B Range)
Exemplary (A Range)

8. Criterion
score
Homeland Security Discussion Rubric 5/10/2021
Writing
Mechanics
(Spelling,
Grammar,
Citation Style)
and
Information
Literacy.
20%
Student did not
submit the
assignment
Numerous issues in
any of the following:
grammar,
mechanics, spelling
use of slang, an
incomplete or
missing citations and
references
Some spelling,

9. grammatical, and/or
structural errors are
present. Some errors
in formatting
citations and
references are
present.
Minor to no errors in
grammar, mechanics,
or spelling in the
initial postings are
present in both the
initial post and
comments to others.
Utilizes sources to
include text readings
as well as outside
sources.
Assignment exceeds
expectations with
exceptional depth;
presents all
requirements of the
assignment;
demonstrates the
ability to evaluate,
apply and synthesize
key assignment
concepts.
Overall score

10. No Submission
There was no
Submission for
this
assignment
Emerging (F-D
Range)
Satisfactory
progress has
not been met
on the
competencies
of this
assignment
Satisfactory
(C Range)
Satisfactory progress
has been achieved
on the competencies
for this assignment
Proficient (B Range)
Proficiency has been
achieved on the
competencies for this
assignment

11. Exemplary (A Range)
The competencies for
this assignment have
been mastered.
Homeland Security Discussion Rubric 5/10/2021