"Cake" for Everyone!

"Cake" for everyone!
The First layer of the Criminal Justice “Wedding Cake” is the Celebrated Cases. These cases involve famous people and those who are in the media. They are focused on by the media and receive the full spectrum of criminal justice procedures. The Second layer is the Serious Felonies. These cases include rape, robbery, and burglaries. They are in the second layer because they are committed by experienced offenders and the offenders receive a full jury trial. The Third layer is the less serious felonies. They include crimes committed by first time offenders or by people who are interrelated with one another. The Fourth layer and the last layer are the misdemeanors. These include crimes such as shoplifting, public drunkenness, minor assault (battery), and disorderly conduct.

Layer One: Celebrated Crimes
Chargers line backer, Shawne Merriman, was arrested for choking and restraining his girlfriend, Tila Tequila. She signed a citizen’s arrest warrant, charging him with battery and false imprisonment, both of which are felonies. Merriman says that he was trying to protect her; he was only taking necessary precautions to keep her from driving drunk. He had a few witnesses that would testify that Merriman was doing no harm and acting in the right. Merriman and his attorney seem confident that he won’t be charged by the District Attorney’s Office. However, for his football career things aren’t looking as great, general manager, A.J. Smith is not happy with Merriman’s extracurricular activity and just might let him leave when he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.
Wilson, B (2009, September 06). Chargers lb merriman arrested in domestic call. Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved September 07, 2009, from http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-merrimanarrested&prov=ap&type=lgns
Layer Two: Serious Felonies
In St. Paul, Minnesota two groups of young adults, believed to be in their 20’s, were having separate gatherings in their yards. The first party was interrupted around 1:45 am by two men wearing sweatshirts with hoods and bandanas. One of these men had a gun and told everyone to keep their heads down and give them everything they had. The second get together was broken up around 2:45 am. However, this crowd was not so cooperative, there was confrontation and one of the men at the party was shot in the abdomen. He was rushed to the hospital as the robbers fled on foot. The two men are still on the loose, but there is a look out for them. The people of the neighborhood feel they are going to end up with more punishment then it was worth, they ended up taking five wallets, two cell phones, a pack of cigarettes, less than one hundred dollars, and some now-useless credit cards.
Meersman, Tom (2009, September 06). Startribune.com. Retrieved September 7, 2009, Web site: http://www.startribune.com/local/57609362.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU

Layer Three: Less- Serious Felonies
Two men are facing felony charges for taking pictures of two half dressed teens in a bedroom. They then took the pictures and showed other students at their high school, this is how the two students found out that pictures had been taken of them. One of the boys was suspended from school for admitting he had taken the pictures the other is facing other charges for a crime he committed later in the year, the pictures, according to court papers, were taken in November of last year.
Powell, J (2009, September 02). Startribune.com. Retrieved September 7, 2009, Web site: http://www.startribune.com/local/south/56673902.html?elr=KArksU, UUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Layer Four: Misdemeanors
Kids were caught draping trees with toilet paper against the wishes of the homeowners. The kids were cited with a petty misdemeanor and face up to a $300 fine. The punishment is also in hopes to deal with the trashing and toilet papering that usually comes with the homecoming activities. Most homeowners understand that this is a “traditional” activity during homecoming week they laugh and clean up the small mess. However, others were taking it seriously and raged back at the kids.
Lange, C (2009, September 02). Kids caught tp'ing in rural kandiyohi county face up to $300 fine. Twin Cities, Retrieved September 07, 2009, from http://www.twincities.com/ci_13252113?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com