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1.11: Wedding Cake Model of Justice

  • Page ID
    15903
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    Wedding Cake Model

    [1] It is referred to as a wedding cake because of the different tiers or layers on a cake. Take a moment to glance at the wedding cake image below and notice that wedding cakes often have different layers and the bottom tends to be the largest with the top being the smallest. This section will explain what each layer would resemble in the criminal justice system.

    Screen-Shot-2018-11-17-at-5.22.14-PM-223x300.png

    [2] Misdemeanors are the least dangerous types of crimes which can include, depending on where location, public intoxication, prostitution, graffiti, among others. Imagine getting caught tagging a park wall and never being caught for a crime before, which is where this crime would fall. These are often the crimes most of us have committed, but also most of us may not have been caught or punished. A misdemeanor may result in a monetary fine, rather than jail time.

    Bottom-Layer Example (The Largest Portion) Dr. Sanchez

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomange.../#43134be64c4b

    [3] However, they consume a significant amount of the courts’ time. For example, Oregon has three different levels or classes of felonies. Class A is the most serious and can result in up to 20-years imprisonment, Class B can result in up to 10 years imprisonment, and Class C is the least serious with up to five years. [4] The second tier would be comprised mostly of Class C felonies.

    Wedding Cake Model Exercise


    1. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson
    2. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson
    3. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson
    4. https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/felony-offense/oregon-felony-class.htm

    This page titled 1.11: Wedding Cake Model of Justice is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, & Shanell Sanchez (OpenOregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.