Criminology Terms #2 Flashcards
Problem-solving Courts
Specialized courts that are designed to divert offenders with special needs from the criminal justice system.
Therapeutic justice
The use of the law and the authority of the court as change agents in promoting the health and well-being of offenders while ensuring that their legal rights are protected and that justice is done.
Courtroom workgroup
The criminal justice professionals, including the judge, Crown counsel, and defence lawyer, who are present in the criminal courtroom.
Hybrid (elective) offences
Offences that can be proceeded summarily or by indictment, a decision that is always made by the Crown.
Preliminary Hearing
A hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal trial.
Judicial independence
The notion that “judges are not subject to pressure and influence, and are free to make impartial decisions based solely on fact and law.”
Circuit courts
Composed of a judge, a court clerk, a defence lawyer, a Crown counsel, and perhaps a translator, travel to communities (usually by air) to hold court.
Superior Courts
The highest level of courts in a province or territory and are administered by the provincial and territorial government.
What is the role of the trial-level superior court?
It hears cases involving serious criminal offences, and can be known as the Supreme Court or the Court of Queen’s Bench.
What is the role of the appeal-level superior court?
It hears criminal appeals (as well as civil appeals) and is usually called the Court of Appeals.
Dissent
Does not agree with the majority.
The Supreme Court of Canada
- hears cases from all provinces and territories
- established under the Constitution Act 1867
- three of the judges on court must be from Québec.
- the governor in council appoints the nine judges.
- they must be superior court judges or lawyers with at least ten years’ standing at the bar in a province or territory.
- decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Federal Court
- hears all cases that concern matters of federal law.
- inc. copyright law, maritime law, the Human Rights Act, the Immigration Act, and appeals from the Parole Board of Canada.
What is the difference between provincial/territorial judges and superior court judges?
Provincial/territorial judges are appointed by the provincial/territorial government, and superior court judges are appointed by the federal government.
-appointments are for life; judges don’t have to consider career implications over making controversial decisions.
Supreme Court Act (1985)
Requires the potential appointee be a judge in a provincial or territorial superior court or have at least ten years experience as a lawyer.
The three categories of a Hybrid (elective) Offence
- Offences under the absolute jurisdiction of provincial or territorial courts.
- Offences under the absolute jurisdiction of superior courts.
- Electable offences.
Prima Facie Case
If the Crown has evidence that could be used to prove guilt.
‘Preferring the Indictment’
In rare cases, the provincial or territorial Attorney Generally can skip the preliminary hearing and go straight to trial.
Three modes of trial for an electable offence
- Trial by a provincial or territorial judge.
- Trial by a superior court judge sitting along.
- Trial by a superior court judge and a jury.
Ethical principles of federally appointed judges
judicial independence, integrity, impartiality, and diligence and equality.
Judicial Interim Release (or bail)
The release by a judge or JP of a person who has been charged with a criminal offence pending a court appearance.
Remand
The status of accused persons in custody awaiting trial or sentencing.
Security Certificates
A process whereby non-Canadian citizens who are deemed to be a threat to the security of the country can be held without charge for an indefinite time.
Plea Bargaining
An agreement whereby an accused pleads guilty in exchange for the promise of a benefit.
Stay of proceedings
An act by the Crown to terminate or suspend court proceedings after they have commenced.
Not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder (NCRMD)
A defence that the accused person is not responsible for an act because of his or her mental state at the time.
Procedural defences
- challenging the validity of the applicable law.
- challenging the validity of prosecution (accusing the police or prosecutors acted unfairly in the investigation or charging of the accused).
- contesting the admissibility of evidence gathered by the police.
- seeking a remedy for violation of a Charter right.
Utilitarian Goals
- general deterrence (discouraging potential people from crime)
- specific deterrence (discouraging the people from doing it again)
- rehabilitation (curing the people of what made them do the crime)
- incapacitation (keeping the people in jail to protect society)
Retributive Goals
- denunciation (expressing society’s disapproval of the behaviour of the offenders)
- retribution (making the offenders ‘pay’ for their offences, based on the philosophy “an eye for an eye”)
Key concept: proportionality
Suspended sentence
A sentencing option whereby the judge convicts the accused but places the offender on probation; successful completion results in no sentence being given.
Conditional sentence of imprisonment
Offenders who receive a sentence or sentences totalling less than two years serve their time in the community under the supervision of a probation officer.
Concurrent sentences
Sentences that are amalgamated and served simultaneously.
Consecutive sentences
Sentences that run separately and are completed one after the other.
Intermittent sentences
A sentence that is served on a part-time basis, generally on weekends.
Judicial determination
An order by the sentencing judge that the offender serve one-half of the sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.
Dangerous offender
A designation made by the judge after conviction that results in an indeterminate term of imprisonment in a federal correctional institution.
Long-term offender
A designation under section 752 or 753 of the Criminal Code that requires the offender to spend up to 10 years under supervision following the expiry of his or her sentence.
Collateral consequences (of sentencing)
The sanctions and prohibitions that are placed on persons convicted of criminal offences (and their families), particularly those offenders who have been incarcerated.
The Gladue decision
A decision by the SCC that held that when a term of incarceration would normally be imposed, judges must consider the unique circumstances of Aboriginal people.
Victim impact statements (VIS)
A submission to a sentencing court explaining the emotional, physical, and financial impact of the crime.