Should Prosecutors Stop Pursuing Minor Crimes?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: What impacts do minor crimes have on society?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the justice system should stop prosecuting misdemeanors. The issue is timely because some jurisdictions have decided to take this approach, and some people are wondering if more should.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Alexandra Natapoff is a law professor and an expert on the justice system. As a U.S. attorney, John Milhiser prosecuted cases involving federal law.)  

3. Core Skill Practice:
Project or distribute Analyzing Authors’ Claims and have students use the activity to analyze and evaluate each argument.

• Analyze Natapoff’s view. (Natapoff argues in favor of reducing misdemeanor prosecutions. She says that the consequences often outweigh the seriousness of the crime, especially for people of color. She also argues that too many resources go to fight minor crimes and that public safety improved in areas that shifted their focus to serious crimes.)

• Analyze Milhiser’s view. (Milhiser argues against reducing misdemeanor prosecutions. He says that minor crimes often escalate to serious ones and that ignoring them leads to lawlessness that makes communities less safe. He also argues that after being prosecuted, people often get help for the problems that led them to commit a crime.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should prosecutors stop pursuing minor crimes? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.