Voting rights for convicted criminals vary dramatically from state to state. Critics argue that so-called felon disenfranchisement laws are anti-democratic because they relegate millions of people to second-class citizenship. Defenders insist that felons have viled to uphold their responsibilities as democratic citizens and thus deserve their right to vote. What qualities are important for voting responsibly? How, if at all, do racial disparities in felon disenfranchisement laws influence the justifiability of these laws.

Many states make use of work prisons where prisoners "volunteer" to work and then receive a wage. Does this constitute exploitation of prisoners or is it necessary to reduce the high cost of the criminal justice system and help prisoners gain work skills? Is it ethical for a private company to pay workers in prison less than workers outside prison? Is it ethical for private companies to earn a profit from prison labor?

Is it morally permissible for employers to ask about criminal history on an application? Is it morally permissible for the state to prevent employers from asking about criminal history on an application?

Some judges have given criminals non-traditional punishments that involve public shaming. Supporters claim public punishments deter others from committing crimes while opponents point to the longstanding defamatory effects of public shaming.

In 2009, NC passed the RJA, allowing those sentenced to death to present evidence of racial bias in their cases to have their sentences reduced to life without parole. NC overturned the RJA in 2012, stating that overall patterns are not indicative of racial bias in any one case.

Identities of juvenile offenders are often kept secret, even in case of sexual assault. After Savannah was raped, her attackers took a plea bargain she felt was too light and she was ordered to not publicly name her attackers. Did Savannah behave ethically when she later defied the court order and released her attackers' names?