What does fair and equitable mean?
Governed by rules that apply to everyone, taking
into account individual needs and circumstances
What does justice mean?
Applying laws
What is the justice system?
The institutions and procedures for applying
laws in a society
What is one of the fundamental principles in Canada and other democratic countries?
Assumed innocent until proven guilty
What rights do you have if you are arrested?
The right to:
- Remain silent
- To speak to a lawyer, parent or guardian
- To have your parents with you during questioning
- To have a lawyer if you go to court
What is a youth justice committee?
A group of volunteers from your community who work with you, your family and the people you’ve wronged to determine a just consequence for your offence
What is the name of the legislation for youth criminals and for adult criminals?
For youth it’s the: Youth Criminal Justice Act
For adults it’s the: Criminal Code Of Canada
What is a criminal record?
A permanent record of breaking the law, which is public information. A criminal record can bar you from some jobs, volunteer positions and travel to other countries
What is/does the YCJA do?
- Deals with 12-17 year old’s
- Primary objective is to rehabilitate and reintegrate
- Prohibits adult sentences for 12-14 year old’s
- Adult sentences possible for 14+ if crime is serious and offender is tried and convicted as adult
- Avoids a criminal record
- Protects names of offenders
What is/does the CC of C do?
- Deals with adults 18+
- Court and Jail
- Publishes names
- Criminal records for convicts
What are factors that determine the consequences of young offenders?
Factors are:
- How serious the offence is
- The history of the offender
- The attitude of the offender
- The personal circumstances which include:
- Family life abuse
- School Life
- Bullying
- Substance Abuse
- Mental illnesses
- Other circumstances that led them to their actions such as being blackmailed
What is the YCJA intended to do?
- Prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying the offender’s actions
- Rehabilitate them and reintroduce them into society
- Ensure that the offender’s are given meaningful consequences
- YCJA must be separate from CC of C/ Not same consequences
Most young offenders only get into trouble with the law once, true or false?
True but the younger a person is when they first break the law, the more likely they are to break the law again
Under the YCJA, a person 14 years or older may choose to be tried by a judge or jury for serious offences like assault or murder, True or False?
True
How many people do juries have and how do they vote?
Juries always have 12 people and all twelve must agree on the verdict. Their decision/vote is unanimous
Who is eligible for jury duty?
Anyone 18 yrs or older who is a Canadian citizen; exceptions are people convicted of some crimes
If someone is assigned to jury duty they….
have to make any and all arrangements for transportation and to get to court on time. Employers have to give you time off but they don’t have to pay you
What oath do jurors swear by?
To use only evidence and law to reach a verdict
Who is the defense in a courtroom?
The lawyer who represents the accused person is the defense. They include the evidence that supports the innocence of the accused
What’s the prosecution?
The prosecution includes the evidence that
supports the guilt of an accused person.
What does sequester mean?
To sequester means to remove from contact. Juries are sequestered to ensure they consider only the evidence presented in the courtroom.
What are the 2 justice advocacy groups?
John Howard society and the Elizabeth fry society
What do the 2 justice advocacy groups?
- They try to solve the underlying reasons for crime and they work independently from the government
- They also provide public education about laws and the justice system
- They help reintegrate and sometimes arrange meetings between victim and offender to help everyone move forward
- They stand up for the rights of the youth and adult accused
What’s the difference between John Howard society and Elizabeth fry?
Fry only focuses on justice issues for women and girls while Howard society focuses on all
