Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes all of the steps between arrest, pre-trial, trial, and appeals for both state and federal appeals. The summary of all the steps are accurate.

Proficient - Summarizes all of the steps between arrest, pre-trial, trial, and appeals for both state and federal appeals. The summary of the steps are mostly accurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes all of the steps between arrest, pre-trial, trial, and appeals for both state and federal appeals. The summary of the steps are somewhat inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize all of the steps between arrest, pre-trial, trial, and appeals for both state and federal appeals; however, the summary of the steps are entirely inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of the steps between arrest, pre-trial, trial, and appeals for both state and federal appeals is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains all contingencies for each stage of the proceedings and comprehensively addresses all possible outcomes.

Proficient - Explains all contingencies for each stage of the proceedings and addresses the possible outcomes. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Explains some of the contingencies for each stage of the proceedings and addresses some of the possible outcomes. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the contingencies for each stages of the proceedings and address the possible outcomes; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the contingencies for each stage of the proceedings and examination of outcomes are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes how constitutional protections for the defendant work at each stage of the proceeding. The analyses are entirely accurate.

Proficient - Analyzes how constitutional protections for the defendant work at each stage of the proceeding. The analyses are mostly accurate.

Basic - Minimally analyzes how constitutional protections for the defendant work at each stage of the proceeding. The analyses are somewhat accurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze how constitutional protections for the defendant work at each stage of the proceeding; however, the analyses are entirely inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The analyses of how constitutional protections work for the defendant at each stage of the proceeding is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates whether the system effectively deals with criminal prosecutions, or whether changes or improvements are required. The evaluations are entirely accurate.

Proficient - Evaluates whether the system effectively deals with criminal prosecutions, or whether changes or improvements are required. The evaluations are mostly accurate.

Basic - Minimally evaluates whether the system effectively deals with criminal prosecutions, or whether changes or improvements are required. The evaluations are somewhat accurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate whether the system effectively deals with criminal prosecutions, or whether changes or improvements are required. The evaluations are entirely inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the effectiveness of the system is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides feasible recommendations to make the system more fair and ethical for all those involved. The recommendations are entirely achievable.

Proficient - Provides recommendations to make the system more fair and ethical for all those involved. The recommendations are mostly achievable.

Basic - Provides minimal recommendations to make the system more fair and ethical for all those involved. The recommendations are somewhat achievable.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide recommendations to make the system more fair and ethical for all those involved; however, the recommendations are entirely unachievable.

Non-Performance - The recommendations to make the system more fair and ethical are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Non-Performance - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Distinguished - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.