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Part 1.
Below is a summary of a criminal trial. Read the summary carefully, then answer the questions that follow.
Miguel Hernandez, a young man from a low-income, predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, found himself in a serious legal battle after being arrested at a U.S. border checkpoint. Hernandez was raised by helping his immigrant parents with odd jobs and currently works as a construction worker. While returning from a family visit to Mexico, border patrol agents discovered several packages hidden in the trunk of his vehicle. The agents claimed that the packages contained illegal drugs, leading to Hernandez's arrest and subsequent charges of drug possession with intent to distribute.
Despite the charges, Hernandez maintained his innocence, insisting that he had no knowledge of the drugs in his vehicle. He testified that he had been visiting relatives in Mexico and was returning home to El Paso when the drugs were found. Hernandez suggested that the packages could have been planted in his car by someone else, without his knowledge or consent. He denied any involvement in drug trafficking and emphasized his clean record and desire to support his family through honest work.
The prosecution, however, presented the evidence of the hidden drugs in Hernandez’s car as overwhelming proof of his involvement in smuggling. The border agents testified that the drugs were discovered in a manner consistent with trafficking operations, and they argued that Hernandez’s failure to react with surprise when the drugs were found suggested his knowledge of their presence.
[They emphasized his Mexican heritage and his regular visits to Mexico, suggesting that his cultural background made him a more likely candidate for drug trafficking. The prosecution presented the case with the assumption that individuals of Hernandez's ethnicity, especially those frequently crossing the border, might be more likely to engage in such illicit activities, relying on stereotypes of Mexican nationals being involved in cross-border smuggling operations.
The defense, in contrast, argued that while drugs were found in Hernandez's vehicle, there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that he had any intent to distribute them or that he was even aware of
their presence. They pointed out that the prosecution had failed to establish a clear link between Hernandez and the drugs beyond the mere fact that they were in his vehicle. The defense emphasized Hernandez's history as a law-abiding, hardworking individual with no prior criminal record, underscoring that there was no credible evidence to support the claim that he had engaged in criminal activity. They argued that his character, work ethic, and lifestyle did not align with the behavior typically associated with drug distribution. Additionally, they noted the absence of any suspicious circumstances or incriminating actions that would suggest he knowingly transported or intended to distribute the drugs, asserting that it was just as plausible that the drugs had been placed in the vehicle without his knowledge.
The defense also pushed back against the prosecution's reliance on stereotypes, emphasizing that Hernandez's visits to Mexico were rooted in his strong family ties and cultural connection, not any nefarious purpose. They argued that the prosecution's attempt to link his ethnicity and frequent trips to Mexico to drug trafficking was both unfair and unfounded. Hernandez, they insisted, was simply a hard-working man who earns his living through an honest career, not criminal behavior.
The case is still under deliberation by the jury, who must decide whether the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Miguel Hernandez knowingly transported illegal drugs with the intent to distribute. The defense has raised reasonable doubt about his involvement, and the jury will have to weigh the circumstantial evidence presented by both sides.
Part 2.
Answer the following questions about the trial summary.
1. Who is the defendant?
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José Garcia
Miguel Hernandez
Carlos Lopez
2. Where does the defendant currently live?
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Texas
Mexico
Arizona
3. What does the defendant do for a living?
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Construction worker
Architect
Marketing executive
4. What crime was the defendant accused of committing?
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Murder
Battery and assault
Possession with intent to distribute
5. What was the prosecution’s main argument?
A. The drugs found in Hernandez’s car, combined with the agents’ testimony, established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
B. The prosecution argued that Hernandez had a criminal history that made him a prime suspect in drug trafficking.
C. The prosecution focused solely on witness testimony, arguing that the lack of physical evidence was not important.
(select A, B, or C)
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A
B
C
6. What was the defense's main argument?
A. The defense claimed that the border agents failed to follow proper procedures in searching Hernandez’s car.
B. The defense emphasized that there was no evidence to show Hernandez knew about the drugs or intended to distribute them, highlighting his clean record and law-abiding character.
C. The defense argued that Hernandez was framed by the border agents, who planted the drugs in his car.
(select A, B, or C)
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A
B
C
Part 3. Decision.
Based on the information in the trial summary, indicate if you think the defendant is not guilty or guilty, and if guilty, what sentence is most appropriate.
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Not guilty
Guilty, 5 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.
Guilty, 20 years in prison and a fine of $2.5 million
Guilty, 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million
Please briefly explain the reasons for your decision:
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Part 4. Demographic information
What is your age?
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What is your gender?
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Male
Female
Other
What is your ethnicity?
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What is the highest level of education have you completed?
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Some High School
Completed High School
Some College
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
What is your employment status?
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Unemployed
Part-time
Full-time
Self-employed
What is your annual income?
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Less than $10,000
$10,001-$25,000
$25,001-$40,000
$40,001-$70,000
$70,001-$100,000
> $100,000
Prefer not to say
Part 5. Perceptions of Mexican Americans Questionnaire
Indicate your level of agreement with these statements.
There are no right or wrong answers to any of the questions.
We are interested in your honest opinions.
1. It would be hard to trust Mexican Americans if they lived in my neighborhood.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
2. Mexican American culture has overstepped its place in the U.S.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
3. I am tired of trying to understand the accents of Mexican Americans.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
4. Mexican Americans are too lazy to contribute much to the U.S.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
5. Mexican Americans are trying to change American culture.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
6. To show you are reading the questions about Mexican Americans carefully, please select Strongly Disagree.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
7. Mexican Americans are the targets of discrimination.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
8. The negative media coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border makes life more difficult for Mexican Americans.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
9. Mexican Americans are treated unfairly because of their skin color.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
10. Mexican Americans are often stereotyped as criminals.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
11. Mexican Americans relate easily to American society.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
12. Mexican Americans want to learn and speak English.
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[select an option]
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
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