Terms Chapter 1

Question 1

Criminal Code of Canada

Answer 1

A federal statute that lists the criminal offences and punishments
defined by Parliament, as well as justice system procedures

Question 2

antisocial behavior

Answer 2

Conduct that can be disruptive and reduce our quality of life, but might
not be considered a criminal act

Question 3

informal social control

Answer 3

When people conform to the law and other social norms because of
the actions and opinions of other individuals, such as praise or disapproval.

Question 4

norms

Answer 4

Standards of acceptable behaviour that are based on tradition, customs, and values

Question 5

public law

Answer 5

A type of law addressing matters that affect society, such as responding to a person
who commits a criminal act

Question 6

private law

Answer 6

Legal matters that relate to the relationships between individuals or businesses that
involve contracts.

Question 7

jurisdiction

Answer 7

The range of a government’s or court’s authority (e.g., provinces have jurisdiction
over non-criminal traffic matters)

Question 8

malum in se

Answer 8

An act that is universally considered by the public as being evil or harmful to
society, such as homicide

Question 9

malum prohibitum

Answer 9

An act that is defined as illegal or wrong by a government, but is not
considered wrong in itself, such as speeding on a highway

Question 10

summary offences

Answer 10

Crimes that carry a less serious punishment in which judges can impose a
jail sentence of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of $5,000

Question 11

indictable offences

Answer 11

Serious offences, such as homicide, where the defendants must appear in
court and cases are heard before federally appointed judges

Question 12

dual offences

Answer 12

Offences that can be prosecuted as either summary offences or indictable
offences.

Question 13

General Social Survey

Answer 13

An annual survey of Canadians that is conducted by Statistics
Canada about a range of social trends, with each annual survey addressing one theme in depth

Question 14

contract policing

Answer 14

A form of policing where a police service, such as the RCMP or OPP, provides
policing to a municipality under a contract

Question 15

inferior courts

Answer 15

Provincial and territorial courts that have limited jurisdiction and deal with less
serious adult and youth criminal matters, as well as civil, family, traffic, and municipal bylaw
cases.

Question 16

Supreme Court of Canada

Answer 16

The highest court in Canada; it only hears cases that are being
appealed out of a lower court.

Question 17

jails

Answer 17

Facilities where individuals are held awaiting their court appearances (called provincial
correctional centres in most provinces, but jails in Ontario).

Question 18

detention centres

Answer 18

Facilities where individuals are held awaiting their court dates or serving
short periods of incarceration (called provincial correctional centres in some provinces

Question 19

correctional centres

Answer 19

Facilities that hold inmates sentenced to terms of incarceration of two
years or less.

Question 20

special handling units

Answer 20

High-security units within a maximum-security penitentiary where the
movement of prisoners is very controlled.

Question 21

day parole

Answer 21

A type of release for federal prisoners who live in a community-based facility and
usually work, attend school, or participate in treatment during the da

Question 22

probation officers

Answer 22

Provincial officials who prepare reports for the courts about sentencing
options for individuals convicted of crimes and monitor their activities if serving communitybased sentences

Question 23

secure custody facilities

Answer 23

High-security youth custody facilities that are usually large and often
look similar to adult correctional centres. Also known as closed custody facilities

Question 24

open custody facilities

Answer 24

Low-security youth custody facilities that are generally small and are
sometimes located in residential neighbourhoods

Question 25

sequencing

Answer 25

The treatment of people involved in the justice system follows a set pattern that is
dictated by law and policy

Question 26

alternative measures programs

Answer 26

Programs that divert individuals involved in minor crimes,
such as property offences, from the formal justice system and usually require the individual to
participate in community service work, make restitution to victims, attend counselling, or make
an apology to victims.

Question 27

extrajudicial sanctions

Answer 27

Alternative measures programs for youth

Question 28

restitution

Answer 28

When an individual makes a payment to the victim for the losses that were
experienced by the victim, such as property damage or loss.

Question 29

plea agreement

Answer 29

An agreement arranged by a defendant’s counsel and a prosecutor that usually
involves the accused pleading guilty in return for a less serious punishment.

Question 30

dangerous offenders

Answer 30

Individuals who the court has deemed to be a threat to the life, safety, or
physical or mental well-being of the public

Question 31

crime control model

Answer 31

An approach to justice that is based on the philosophy that it is more
important to protect society than the rights of any individual

Question 32

assembly-line justice

Answer 32

An approach to justice where a priority is placed on quickly processing
minor matters in criminal courts with the assumption that most defendants are guilty

Question 33

due process model

Answer 33

An approach to justice that is based on the philosophy that the justice
system needs to protect the rights of a defendant.