Criminology 11th Edition by Larry Siegel

Exercise 1

The governor's council is sponsoring an open house debate on a proposed "stand your ground law." About 15 states have passed laws that allow crime victims to use deadly force in certain situations in which they might have formerly been charged with a crime, some allowing the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the commission of a "forcible felony," including carjacking, robbery, or assault, and the governor's council wants to follow suit.
The traditional "castle doctrine" required that people could only use deadly force in their own home when they reasonably believed that their lives were in danger. The new law being proposed allows the average citizen to use deadly force when they reasonably believe that their homes or vehicles have been illegally invaded. Furthermore, under the new law, a person has no duty to retreat and can meet force with force; they are granted immunity from prosecution if they can prove they were the target of a crime.

Divide the class into two groups and have each prepare "talking points" paper, one supporting the "stand your ground" concept and the other pointing out its flaws and limitations.