Understanding The Criminal Justice System

Question 1

The Criminal Justice System

(CJS)

Answer 1

All of the agencies, organizations, and personnel that are involved in the prevention of, and response to, crime; persons charged with criminal offences; and persons convicted of crimes

(Lawyers, Police, Corrections)

Question 2

What is the Purpose of the CJS

Answer 2

The Criminal Justice System Should:
1. Promote respect for the law
2. Be timely
3. Consider the cirumstances of those who are vulnerable and marginalized
4. Place as much focuse on addressing underlying social factors
5. Reduce the chances of convicting an innocent person
6. Prevent crime
7. Treat everyone fairly
8. Promote a sense of trust or confidence in the cjs
9. Provide info accounting for tax dollars spent
10. Be transparent or clear about rules and guidelines

Question 3

Crime Control

(Model of Criminal Justice)

Answer 3

An orientation to criminal justice in which the protection of the community and the apprehension of offenders are supreme (important)

Question 4

Due Process

(Model of Criminal Justice)

Answer 4

An orientation to criminal justice in which the legal rights of indvidual citizens, including crime suspects, are supreme (important)

Question 5

Adversarial System

Answer 5

A system of justice that is based on two opposing sides - the prosecution and the defence - arguing the guilt or innocence of a person before a judge or jury

Question 6

Role and Responsibility of Governments in the CJS

Answer 6

Each level of government in Canada plays a role in the CJS. The division of responsibilities between the federal and provincial governments was spelled out in the Constitution Act, 1867

Question 7

Flow of Cases through the CJS

Answer 7

Incident => Police System => Criminal Court System => Corrections and Parole System

Question 8

Role of Discretion in the CJS

Answer 8

The power or right to decide or act according to one’s own judgement

Question 9

Ethics in Criminal Justice

Answer 9

The foundation of knowledge that describes right/wrong or bettwer/worse and applies to harm/care and fairness/reciprocity

Question 10

Task Environment

Answer 10

The cultural, geographic, and community setting in which the criminal justice system operates and justice personnel make decisions

Question 11

Accountability in The CJS

Answer 11

• A key to an effective criminal justice system is accountability of criminal justice officals and agencies
• Officials must adhere to the rule of law and the law generally (no one is above the law)

Question 11

Accountability in The CJS

Answer 11

• A key to an effective criminal justice system is accountability of criminal justice officals and agencies
• Officials must adhere to the rule of law and the law generally (no one is above the law)

Question 12

Public Confidence and Trust

Answer 12

The CJS requires that the public have confidence and trust in it to be effective

Question 13

Deterrent Effects of the CJS

Answer 13

• Deterrence discourages crime being commited
• Studies of the deterrent effect of the criminal law suggest that the law can serve as a deterrent only when certain conditions are present

Question 13

Deterrent Effects of the CJS

Answer 13

• Deterrence discourages crime being commited
• Studies of the deterrent effect of the criminal law suggest that the law can serve as a deterrent only when certain conditions are present

Question 14

Restorative Justice

Answer 14

A problem-solving approach to responding to offenders based on the principle that criminal behavior injures victims, communities, and offenders, and that all of these parties should be involved in efforts to address the causes of the behaviour and its consequences