MANSFIELD, PA – Eight criminal justice administration students from Mansfield University listened to oral arguments made in two separate cases before the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The first case, Bucklew v Precythe, was a death penalty case. The Court heard arguments about whether an inmate with a rare and severe medical condition must provide an alternate means of execution, if the medical condition would cause unconstitutional pain and suffering under the state’s normal method of execution.
After both hearings concluded, the group met with Officers Smith and Marshall from the Supreme Court of the US Police Department (SCUS Police). The officers provided information on the requirements, duties, and responsibilities of the SCUS Police, as well as tips on how students can prepare for successful interviews and careers with the department.
This is the second consecutive year Mansfield students attended hearings at the U.S. Supreme Court. SCUS Police Officer Smith has been instrumental in helping plan both visits. The trips were sponsored by Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE), the professional fraternity in criminal justice. Attending the 2018 visit were students Steven Hook, Harrison Ledda, Alexis Tedesco, Sahara Randall, Zachary Sedun, Tamara St. Clair, James Natali, and Alex Vonweinstein. CJA Department Chair Dr. Jeremy Olson and his wife Dr. Rebecca Sarver helped coordinate the trip and chaperoned the students.