What happened to trial by jury?

In the United States today, juries decide less than 4% of criminal cases and less than 1% of civil cases filed in court. At the same time, jury systems in other countries are growing. So what happened in the US? And could the disappearance of juries be a good thing? Suja A. Thomas explores both sides of this dilemma.

Comment on :

For what reason would a criminal defendant plead guilty in a plea bargaining arrangement with the prosecutor?

Juries can decide cases. Describe another entity that can decide cases instead of juries and consider why this body can either preferable or not preferable to a jury.

In the United States today, juries do not decide many cases. What reasons can be given for giving them more or less authority?

The role of juries has expanded in some other countries, such as Japan and China. Why might juries be beneficial in those places?

Inventing the American presidency

When the founders of the United States gathered to create the foundations of the country, they decided on three branches of government, with a president central to the executive branch. Kenneth C. Davis explains why this decision was not necessarily inevitable and what variables were up for debate.

Comment on below:
Where and when was the Constitution written?

The Electoral College was created in 1787 to avoid direct election of the President by the voters. Is that system still a good idea, or should it be changed? How?

Should the President have any new powers? Should any presidential powers be taken away?

Under the Constitution, the president is now limited to two terms. Should we go back to the original plan of unlimited terms?

How do executive orders work?

On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln legally changed the status of over 3 million people from “slave” to “free.” But his emancipation proclamation wasn’t a law — it was an executive order. The framers of the American Constitution made this power available to the executive branch. But what exactly is this tool, how does it work, and what’s the extent of its power? Christina Greer explains.

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In 1863, Abraham Lincoln decided to issue an executive order to legally change the status of over 3 million enslaved Blacks, across ten states, from “slave” to “free”. Why do you think President Lincoln decided to issue the Emancipation Proclamation as opposed to working with Congress to make a law? Do you think he was overreaching his power as president? Which process, executive order or working with Congress, do you think could be most effective for a president? Are there certain moments in time or certain issues that would change our opinion?

How does impeachment work?

For most jobs, it’s understood that you can be fired – whether for crime, incompetence, or just poor performance. But what if your job happens to be the most powerful position in the country – or the world? That's where impeachment comes in. But how does it work? Alex Gendler details the process of impeachment.

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How many votes are required for conviction of a president or vice president?
Where did impeachment originate, and how does it differ in the United States?

How does money laundering work?

Money laundering is the term for any process that “cleans” illegally obtained funds of their “dirty” criminal origins, allowing them to be used within the legal economy. And the practice is about as old as money itself. But how does it actually work? Delena D. Spann describes the ins and outs of money laundering.

Comment on:
What act, pertaining to money laundering, was significant in the year 1986?
With the rise of virtual currency what is another method used to launder money?
With the advancement of technology, is it easier to detect money laundering? Please explain.

Ugly history: Japanese American incarceration camps

On December 7, 1941, 16 year-old Aki Kurose shared in the horror of millions of Americans when Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor. Unbeknownst to her, this shared experience would soon leave her family and over 120,000 Japanese Americans alienated from their country, both socially and physically. Densho explores the racism and paranoia that led to the unjust internment of Japanese Americans.

Comment on:
When did the US government officially acknowledge that the wartime incarceration was the result of racism, hysteria, and failed political leadership and issue a formal apology to Japanese Americans?

During World War II, nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were American citizens, were incarcerated by the US government without due process. Can you think of any other times in American history when constitutional rights have been denied to citizens because of their race or religion?

The day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Aki Kurose went to school and her teacher accusingly said, "You people bombed Pearl Harbor." Aki was an American citizen, and had never been to Japan, but she suddenly realized that because of her ancestry, many assumed that she was the enemy. What can you do when you see someone making a false accusation? How can you avoid making a false accusation?

The theme fot the fourth meeting is "The State. How is power divided in the United States government"

The state has an important part to play in making and enforcing law. But what is a state? 

It is a political unit with a territory that the international community treats as independent, for example the United Kingdom, the USA or Japan. 

Law settles how the state is to be governed (its constitution), what duties it owes its citizens, and what duties they owe to one another and to it. The law of the state consists, of a system of government, together with a framework for making the life of citizens more secure and for enabling them to flourish.

Articles I-III of the United States Constitution allow for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. 

But how is power divided in the United States government? Belinda Stutzman breaks down each branch and its constitutionally-entitled powers.

1. In the late 1700's, who did the Founding Fathers not want ruling the United States?
2. When was the new constitution adopted?
3. Which branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution?
4. Which branch of the government commands the US military?
5. Who determines if federal laws are constitutional?
6. Besides voting, in what ways can a citizen participate in his/her government?