Law 30 Flashcards
indictable offences
serious offence
summary conviction
minor offence
family court
dealt with in a civil court; deals with matters such as divorce, child custody, adoption etc.
youth court
a court for ages 12-18
appeal
an application to a higher court to review the decision made by a lower court
unanimous
fully in agreement
hung jury
when the jury can’t agree on a verdict
closing statement
last statement made by each lawyer
charging of the jury
final statement; made by the judge
deliberation
discussion of the jury to decide whether the accused is guilty or not
verdict
final decision made by the jury
acquittal
person is found not guilty of crime and is free to go
local jails
hold inmates awaiting trial for less serious crimes or serve sentences less than 3 months
provincial prisons
hold inmates awaiting trial for more serious offences or serving sentences of 3 months to 2 years
federal penitentiary
hold inmates sentenced to more than 2 years
rehabilitation
reform; treatment and training programs to help offenders function in society
retribution
punishing an offender for revenge or to satisfy the public
deterrence
punishing an offender for a crime should prevent that person from committing another crime because the offender fears punishment
ex: in some countries the punishment for stealing would be to have your hands cut off, this punishment would scare people and prevent others committing the crime
maximum security prisons
for criminals dangerous to the public, likely to escape
medium security prisons
hold convicts not very dangerous to the public, probably won’t try to escape
minimum security prisons
holds convicts that are not dangerous to the public, will not try to escape
mens rea
someone with criminal intent; having a guilty mind
child saving movement
in Britain and Canada in late 1800’s the gov’t lobbied for humane laws for young offenders
juvenile delinquents act
1908; kids were not treated like criminals but as misguided children needing rehabilitation
young offenders act
1984; based on 4 ideas
- young offenders should bear responsibility for their actions and be held accountable in a manner appropriate for their age and level of maturity
- Canadians have the right to be protected from illegal actions of youth
- youth should not be punished like adults, they need supervision, guidance, control and direction. if family cannot provide this they need to live somewhere else
- youth have the same legal rights as adults according to the charter of rights and freedoms
truancy
not going to school
10 years
minimum penalty for 1st degree murder
7 years
minimum penalty for 2nd degree murder
adult court
for people 18 and older; 16 and 17 year olds charger with serious crimes are automatically sent here
