Legal Studies Essays: Like an English essay, legal studies essays need three main things 1. Introduction 2.

. Body 3. Conclusion How do I write my essay? Look at the question first read it in your head a few times; think about the topic that youve studied that is most relevant Find out what they want to do? are you evaluating, analyzing, assessing, describing? Etc think about your HSC keywords (learn those and what they mean) So after you know what type of response they want, then look at the rest of the question and pick out the key words. This will help you determine exactly how to answer the question ----- what the topic is, and what the teacher wants to hear ----- it could also be an argument that you can make or one that you can argue against Introduction: - restate the question in the way you understand so say what they are asking in a different way or make the point in a general sense - Introducing the topic define key points or themes (keep it simple) - have a thesis (argument that will run through the whole paper): tell the reader (teacher) what your essay is going to be about Body: Paragraphs of things that you are going to talk about - try to have at least 3 main points per paragraph or theme - Keep all relevant things together make it relate - Always link back to the question what do they want to know? - Make sure you are following that HSC keyword instruction Conclusion: Restate the question - you briefly summarise the main points or the argument you were making - finish up what youve been asked to do (wrap it up and remember the HSC keywords)

To what extent do penalties imposed during the sentencing process achieve justice for victims, offenders and society? - penalties imposed during sentencing process
do they or how do they achieve justice key players: victims ----- offenders ------ society

define the penalties that may be imposed during the sentencing process so what kind of punishments you might get for criminal behaviour? Evaluate or an assess question: determine the value of whether or not this range of penalties has been effective at providing/achieving justice for the 3 key players Divide the essay up like this: Intro introducing the topic Thesis ?? Argument it might be something like: Many of the penalties imposed during sentencing of criminals are largely effective at achieving some form of justice that is acceptable to the community, the victims and the offender themselves (although they are more likely to be unhappy with harsher punishments than the victim or society would be). However, this essay will also show that there are penalties given during sentencing that are less effective at achieving justice. Ultimately it is a question of balance between the needs of the three parties involved. Should penalties be protective of the victims rights moreso than the rights of the offender? Or should penalties provide protections for society and place less emphasis on the needs of the victim and the offender? This essay will argue that for the most part these penalties are achieving justice at an acceptable level for all involved.

Body: PICK 3 or 4 different penalties to consider (5 max) 1. A paragraph or two on what the penalties are so firstly briefly describe them as an introduction to the rest of your analysis. Eg no conviction/good behaviour bond. This penalty may be offered where the Court believe the offence to be of a trivial nature or considers the defendant to have circumstances that may lessen the punishment, such as no prior criminal history. 2. Where you start to talk about the penalties when you are answering Penalty 1: No conviction recorded and good behaviour bond: This penalty is effective at providing a warning to (probable) first time offenders in the hopes of deterring them from committing the offence more than once because they have been given a light punishment. However, the Court may not be so lenient next time. This punishment achieves justice for the offender in not punishing them too severely, and as long as there is no real victim or the victim wasnt injured or damaged in some form by the defendants behaviour, this can be a good mechanism for achieving justice. TRY AND WRITE ABOUT JUSTICE FOR SOCIETY, INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS AND THE OFFENDER ALL IN THE ONE BIT. 3. Imprisonment 4. Suspended sentences 5. Diversionary programs ALWAYS LINK BACK TO QUESTION

CONCLUSION- state what parts have been effective, what parts have not

Penalties imposed during the sentencing process such as No conviction recorded and good behaviour bond A judge or magistrate may dismiss a charge and not record