Ethical Dilemma Worksheet

CJA/324 Version 3
1
University of Phoenix Material
Ethical Dilemma Worksheet
Incident Review
1. What is the ethical issue or problem? Identify the issue succinctly.
The two officers are at odds as to what they should do? hould they arrest the suspect for
D!I and domestic violence" or do they simply walk away because they know they have no
case.
2. What are the most important facts? Which facts have the most bearin# on the ethical decision
presented? Include any important potential economic" social" or political pressures" and
e$clude inconse%uential facts.
The husband was drinkin# and drivin#.
&e assaulted his wife.
&e is #uilty of two crimes' a felony and a misdemeanor both of which (if convicted) could
mean possible *ail time. +n the other hand if you were to arrest the husband in his home with
no proof of a crime committed only circumstantial evidence than you are makin# a bad name
for you and the police department.
3. Identify each claimant (key actor) who has an interest in the outcome of this ethical issue.
,rom the perspective of the moral a#ent-the individual contemplatin# an ethical course of
action-what obli#ation is owed to the claimant? Why?
.laimant
(key actor)
+bli#ation
(owed to the
claimant)
/erspective (What does the claimant hope will happen?)
Wife &usband That her husband (if arrested) will stop drinkin# and see that he
can (and will) #et cau#ht.
Rookie
+fficer
Department The rookie officer wants to make the arrest" but in doin# so
knows he is in violation of written law" and +/.
ociety 0awyers If arrested society will thank the police for #ettin# another drunk
driver off the street" but lawyers will %uestion and *ud#e the
le#ality of doin# so" and possibly #ettin# other cases thrown out
or overturned.
Ethical Dilemma Worksheet
CJA/324 Version 3
1
Evaluatin# 2lternatives
4. What are two alternatives for the scenario? +ne alternative can be a wild card that you
ordinarily may not consider an option because of potential implications. 3oth should be within
free will and control of the same moral a#ent.
2lternative 2 2lternative 3
2rrest the husband 0et him off with a written warnin#
5. Respond to the followin# %uestions based on your developed alternatives.
2lternative 2 2lternative 3
What are the best4 and
worst4case scenarios if
you choose this
alternative?
The husband is convicted of
D!I char#es and domestic
violence char#es" he serves
time and reali5es the error of
his ways.
&e continues to drink and drive
and assaults his wife. /ossibly
killin# someone while he is
drivin#" or possibly kill his wife in a
drunken ra#e.
Will anyone be harmed if
this alternative is chosen?
If so" how will they be
harmed? .onsider
families and derivative
effects.
The wife could fall into
depression because her
husband is locked up.
&e could continue doin# what he
is doin# until he hurts himself or
someone else.
Would honorin# an idea
or value-such as
personal" professional" or
reli#ious-make the
alternative invalid?
2re there any rules" laws"
or principles that support
the alternative? 2re there
rules" laws" or principles
that make the alternative
invalid? tate the rule or
principle and indicate if it
invalidates or supports
the alternative.
Ethical Dilemma Worksheet
CJA/324 Version 3
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2pplyin# Ethical 7uidelines
8. .onsider each ethical #uideline and e$plain whether it would support or re*ect your
alternative.
7uidelines based on the action itself 2lternative 2 2lternative 3
hould this alternative become a rule or policy
that everyone in this situation should follow in
similar situations in the future? (9ant)
:o ;es
Does this alternative result in usin# any person as
a means to an end without consideration for his or
her basic inte#rity? (9ant)
:o ;es
Is the intent of this action free from vested interest
or ulterior motive? (9ant<s #ood will)
:o :o
Does this alternative demonstrate a #enuine
concern for others affected by the decision" and is
the moral a#ency respondin# to a perceived
need?
;es no
7uidelines based on conse%uences 2lternative 2 2lternative 3
Is the #ood that results from this alternative
outwei#hed by the potential harm that mi#ht be
done to others? (=ill<s harm principle)
;es ;no
Is any harm brou#ht about by anyone other than
the moral a#ent? (causal harm) :o
:o
Will anyone be harmed who can be said to be
defenseless? (paternalism) :o
;es
To what de#ree is this alternative based on the
moral a#ent<s own best interest? (ethical e#oism)
:ot accordin# to
current laws and
standard operatin#
procedures.
no
Which alternative will #enerate the #reatest
benefit-or the least amount of harm-for the
#reatest number of people? elect only one
alternative. (utilitarianism)
2ccordin# to the law"
this alternative
(althou#h wron#) is
the best course of
action from
reprimand" or a
future lawsuit.
Ethical Decision =akin#
7. .hoose to proceed with either 2lternative 2 or 2lternative 3 and e$plain the reasons for your
decision.
2lternative 3 is the correct way to #o only because it is the correct course of action for this event.
2nythin# else will result in ne#ative conse%uences.