Introductory Criminal Justice: The - Wedding Cake Model of Justice (Samuel Walker – Celebrated Cases, Serious Felonies, Lesser Felonies, Misdemeanors)

The Wedding Cake Model of Justice (Samuel Walker – Celebrated Cases, Serious Felonies, Lesser Felonies, Misdemeanors)

What This Is

The Wedding Cake Model of Justice, also known as the Walker Model, is a conceptual framework developed by Samuel Walker to categorize crimes based on their severity. This model serves as a tool for understanding the hierarchy of crimes within the criminal justice system.

Key Definitions / Models / Steps

• Wedding Cake Model: A conceptual framework categorizing crimes into three tiers: Celebrated Cases, Serious Felonies, Lesser Felonies, and Misdemeanors.
  • Example: A high-profile murder case would be classified as a Celebrated Case, while a burglary would be considered a Serious Felony.
• Celebrated Cases: High-profile crimes that receive extensive media attention and public scrutiny.
  • Example: The O.J. Simpson murder case (1995) was a celebrated case due to its widespread media coverage.
• Serious Felonies: Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and are considered serious threats to public safety.
  • Example: A conviction for armed robbery would be considered a Serious Felony.
• Lesser Felonies: Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for less than one year but more than six months.
  • Example: A conviction for grand larceny would be considered a Lesser Felony.
• Misdemeanors: Crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for less than six months or fines.
  • Example: A conviction for disorderly conduct would be considered a Misdemeanor.
• Tiered Justice System: The Walker Model suggests that the severity of punishment should be commensurate with the severity of the crime.
• Disproportionate Sentencing: The model highlights the issue of disproportionate sentencing, where punishments do not match the severity of the crime.
• Racial Disparities: The Walker Model also suggests that racial disparities in sentencing may be more pronounced in the lower tiers of the justice system.
• Reform Efforts: The model has been used to inform reform efforts aimed at reducing racial disparities and promoting more equitable sentencing practices.

Practical Application

In a realistic scenario, a police officer responding to a burglary call would categorize the crime as a Serious Felony. The officer would then collect evidence and make an arrest, which would be followed by a prosecution in court. The prosecutor would argue that the defendant's actions constituted a Serious Felony, and the judge would determine the appropriate sentence based on the severity of the crime. In this scenario, the Wedding Cake Model would be used to inform the officer's actions, the prosecutor's arguments, and the judge's sentencing decision.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The Wedding Cake Model is a new concept in criminology.
• Correction: The Walker Model has been in use since the 1970s and is based on existing research on crime severity and sentencing practices.
• Misunderstanding: The model only applies to serious crimes.
• Correction: The Walker Model applies to all crimes, from Misdemeanors to Celebrated Cases.
• Misunderstanding: The model is only used in the United States.
• Correction: The Walker Model has been applied in various countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia.
• Misunderstanding: The model is only used in sentencing decisions.
• Correction: The Walker Model is used in a range of applications, including policing, prosecution, and sentencing.

Exam Tips

• Key Supreme Court Rulings: The Walker Model has been influenced by several Supreme Court rulings, including Roper v. Simmons (2005) and Graham v. Florida (2010).
• Tricky Distinctions: Be able to distinguish between Serious Felonies and Lesser Felonies, as well as Misdemeanors and infractions.
• Frequently Confused Terms: Be aware of the differences between the Walker Model and other conceptual frameworks, such as the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System.
• Measurement Differences: Be able to explain the differences between the Walker Model and other measures of crime severity, such as the FBI's Crime in the United States report.

Quick Recap

• The Wedding Cake Model categorizes crimes into three tiers: Celebrated Cases, Serious Felonies, and Misdemeanors.
• Celebrated Cases receive extensive media attention and public scrutiny.
• Serious Felonies are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
• Lesser Felonies are punishable by imprisonment for less than one year but more than six months.
• Misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment for less than six months or fines.
• The Walker Model has been used to inform reform efforts aimed at reducing racial disparities and promoting more equitable sentencing practices.
• The model has been applied in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
• The Walker Model is used in a range of applications, including policing, prosecution, and sentencing.
• The model has been influenced by several Supreme Court rulings, including Roper v. Simmons and Graham v. Florida.
• The Walker Model is a conceptual framework, not a new concept in criminology.