In terms of number of paragraphs, cases, examples etc. For example I talked about the criminal trial process like adversary system, charge pleas negotiation, role of juries with different perspectives ranging from judges, dpp and victims 'vocal' in order to answer the question. I also used some cases and stats and quotes. I wrote 3 booklets, and yes I know quality is primary before quantity BUT judging from what I discussed and the length of it I don't really know what to expect. I mean I think I really answered the question but what is expected for a 15 marker? Given that most essays in hsc are 20 or 25. Do markers expect the same quality/ quality in crime just as with the option essays in legal?
I too wrote 3 full booklets
Question I reckon wasn't too bad, but seeing words and peculiar phrasing that didn't match up with the syllabus threw a lot of people off and myself initially
My argument was a little weak but I talked about;
-police powers and their investigation process - also how inadmissible evidence of DNA could hinder ones freedoms (I used a statistic) and also how police may abuse their discretionary powers - eg. keep the accused in interrogation for more than 4 hrs without the court-approved extension of 8 hrs
-also the criminal trial process - the perceived success of the adversary system where both parties present their oral arguments - but still the fact that the individual is deprived of inequity of distribution of skills, resources and knowledges - I underpinned my contemporary case R v. Campbell where Judge Latham on a rare occurence let in media in tarnishing the idea of "open justice" - his previous convictions were brought up and sexual infidelities in characterising him as a "philanderer" - I also mentioned use of witnesses in aiding the case and overwhelming evidence used against him which to some extent questions the legal maxim of him "innocent before proven guilty"
-then I talked about these tensions evident by such post-sentencing considerations eg. preventative detention and continued detention where sex offenders under the "Serious Sex Offenders Act 2006 (NSW) could be held in custody after their sentence has been served - as well as 2 yrs monitoring of sex offenders under the Sex Offenders Registration Act
-then I concluded with young offenders - how whilst the community does push for rehabilitation/welfare model it is not used widely enough (Shopfront Youth Legal Centre) - and still heavy reliance on custodial sentences - ineffectiveness shown further by the Bail Act and also these tensions trying to be alleviated with Greg Smith's proposed reforms