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PLEA (UNDER THE LAW SERIES)

NCJ Number
61373
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIVING DURING MOMENTS OF EMOTIONAL STRESS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS FILM STRIP AND AUDIOCASSETTE COMPONENT OF THE 'UNDER THE LAW' SERIES.
Abstract
A DRAMATIZATION OF A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT EXPLAINS THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND ILLUSTRATES THE USE OF JUDICIAL DISCRETION TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR ALL PERSONS CONCERNED WITH A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE PORTRAYAL OF A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND DISCUSSION OF ITS CONSEQUENCES INFORMS STUDENTS OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP AND REPORT SUCH AN INCIDENT AND TO COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE. REPORTING A CRIME AND COOPERATING WITH THE AUTHORITIES IS AN INDICATOR OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARDS CRIME PREVENTION. BY ALSO CONSIDERING PERSONAL ELEMENTS IN THE CHARGING AND SENTENCING OF AN OFFENDER, THE LAW PROVIDES JUSTICE FOR ALL WITHOUT DEMEANING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME. EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS THE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OF THE DRIVER IN THE FILM STRIP, DO NOT CANCEL OUT A COMPLETED CRIME ALTHOUGH THEY MAY PARTIALLY MITIGATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE OFFENSE. A LACK OF CITIZEN CONFIDENCE IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO REPORT MANY CRIMES. HOWEVER, MOST STATES REQUIRE DRIVERS TO STOP AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THEY WERE INVOLVED AND TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. THE DISCLOSURE OF SUCH INFORMATION IS NOT CONSIDERED TESTIMONIAL IN CHARACTER, BUT RATHER IS INFORMATIONAL. FINALLY, THE FILM STRIP NOTES THAT TWO-THIRDS OF ALL FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS. (TWK)