Theme 3- Fairness and Justice Flashcards
Discuss how effective equality enforcing legalisation is
For example the Race Relations Act 1965 made it illegal to discriminate based on colour, race in public places
It was put in place to combat tension from many economic migrant after World War 2 , in 1958 there were the Notting hill riots
The act made it only a civil offence ( not a criminal offence ) to refuse to serve someone on the grounds of there colour.
The first conviction under the act came 2 years later in 1967 . It has been described as a ‘weak piece of legislation’ and didn’t end racial discrimination in the UK fully
State points for or against the statement,’ too much emphasis is placed on rights in the UK and not enough on responsibilities’
For:
People claim they want there voices heard but there was only a 65% turnout in the 2010 general election meaning 35% of people are being apathetic and choosing not to let their voices be heard
What is the role of a probation officer?
To protect the community, and prevent crime from occurring. They work with offenders in custody and those released from prison
What is the role of a magistrate?
Volunteers from the local area who sit in a panel of 3 and decide guilt of a person and sentence
What is a magistrates court?
It is a lower court where all cases start
What is a barrister?
They are specialist legal advisers and court room advocates
What is a judge?
An experienced former solicitor or barrister appointed to decide cases in a the crown court
What is a jury
12 randomly selected members of the public between the ages of 18 to 70 chosen to decide whether a person on trial is guilty or not guilty
What is a solicitor?
They help to prepare a case for the barrister to present in the court room
What is a youth offending team?
Trams that Work with young people that get into trouble with the law, and try to help them keep away from crime ę.g Croydon youth offending team
What is Probation and what are the benefits of it?
When you’re serving a sentence but you’re not in prison you may have to:
- Do unpaid work
- Complete an education or training course
- Get treatment for addictions
- Have regular meetings with an ‘offender manager’
Outline the reasons we sentence people
Punishment
Deterrence
Rehabilitation and reformation
Protection
Reparation
What is reformation and rehabilitation?
When offenders become reformed by going to rehabilitation or going to counselling.If this happens it’s less likely the prisoner will reoffend
What is reparation?
Where justice is served by offenders giving back to the community where they took from it, for example offenders have had meetings with the victim where the victim says how what the offender did effected them.
State the types of sentencing
Fines
Custodial sentences (jail)
Community service
Discharge
Make an argument for or against Short prison sentences being replaced with Community servicemen
For: jail sentences are not a good deterrent as the reoffending rate for prison sentences shorter than 12 months is 58%.
Prisons are also expensive as it costs the tax payer £40,000 per prisoner per year which is much more expensive than Community (which is £2,800 per year)
Some offenders who have done community service have a sense of ‘pride’ and are happy to give back to the community, making community service a form of reparation
Against: It keeps dangerous people
away from the society unlike community service
Some offenders don’t see Community service as a serious sentence so are likely to reoffend
Argue for against that the criminal justice system is effective
For: Effective because the overall reoffending rate in March 2013 was 26.1%
Against: The jury who decide whether or not an offender is guilty don’t necessarily have any political knowledge
Less than half of crimes are reported
To what extent do media distort and create opinion?
Party political broadcasts on tv have said to have a huge impact on turnout and votes
The Sun put out a news article before the general election in 2010 against labour and after this the conservatives won the election
How do politicians use media to communicate with the public?
Televised broadcasts
Social media accounts ę.g Twitter, Facebook
