Just Mercy

PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Please answer one of the following four essay questions that focus on Just Mercy. Your paper should be 6-8 pages long, double-spaced and

typed. It should include a bibliography.

In your essay, make sure you introduce your arguments with a clear thesis statement in the
introduction. Your essay grades will also reflect:
• Whether you identify and explain important concepts;
• How well you incorporate material from the lectures, readings and films to support and
illustrate your argument;
• Whether you answer all of the parts of the question;
• The organization and clarity of your essay;
• Your use of evidence to support your arguments; and
• Your ability to show that you grasp the complexity of the issues involved.
• Whether you show independence of thought and creativity.

Writing Guidelines
1. Your paper should be typed and double-spaced. It should include your name, the date and a title.
2. Font: 12 point, Times New Roman, Calibri, or Palatino are acceptable.
3. Margins: 1 inch, except for lengthy quotations.
4. Quotations: Indent by 1 1/2 inch if quoting 4 or more lines of text (this text should be single spaced and italicized). If the quotation

is less than four lines, simply mark it with quotation marks in the body of your paper (no need to indent). Direct quotations should be used

only if absolutely necessary, especially for short papers.
5. Citations for direct quotes other texts should include a page number (Rienarman 1996: 10);
indirect references require the author’s name and year of publication but no page number (i.e.
Reinarman 1996).
6. References: Please cite all references properly and provide a complete bibliography for all referenced works, including course materials.

You may use either the MLA, ABA or Chicago reference style, but please be consistent.
7. Gender-specific language: try to avoid using masculine terms to refer to things that also apply to women. Replace such terms with gender

neutral language: for example, man/mankind/men can be replaced by individuals/humanity/people. If using “his or her” or “he/she” seems

awkward, alternate these terms.

Essay Questions: Please answer ONE of the following essay questions:
1. Many of the stories Bryan Stevenson tells in Just Mercy reveal the ubiquity and importance of
legal discretion. In this essay, explain how the exercise of legal discretion can produce unjust
outcomes even when legal actors do not overtly or clearly violate the law. What factors tend to encourage this? What kinds of reforms might

help to alleviate it?

2. Much of Just Mercy is devoted to telling the story of how and why Walter Macmillian was
wrongly convicted. What were the main factors that led to his conviction despite his innocence?
Does the existence of these dynamics stem from the adversarial nature of the U.S. justice
system? If not, what led legal officials to utilize the practices that resulted in Macmillian’s
wrongful conviction?

3. Many of the stories told in Just Mercy involve children who are treated as adults in the criminal justice system. How does this pattern

relate to the broader phenomenon of criminalization? On what grounds does Stevenson argue that children should not be treated as adults for

legal purposes? Do you agree? Why or why not?

4. Stevenson undoubtedly entitled his book Just Mercy for a reason. What is the vision of justice
that Stevenson critiques in his book? What is the alternative vision of justice that he proposes,
and what is the role of mercy in it? What are some of the legal and policy implications of this
alternative vision of justice?