Unit 3 - Saskatchewan Courts

Question 1

What is a Justice of the peace?

Answer 1

Citizens appointed by Order in Council to carry out specific administrative and judicial functions of the provincial court.

Question 2

What are the 3 things a Justice of the peace is responsible for?

Answer 2

• identifying suitable applications for appointment
• training new and existing justices of the peace
• receiving complaints and reviewing conduct issues

Question 3

What are the purposes of the youth court system?

Answer 3

The youth court will hear their case, they are subject to the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Question 4

What is the purpose of the YCJA?

Answer 4

Timely intervention, meaningful consequences, repairing harm done

Question 5

What are some benefits of cree court?

Answer 5

• Enabling the court to communicate with an accused in a manner suited to his or her language and cultural needs

• incorporating traditional value into sentences, making them more responsive to the needs of particular communities

Question 6

What are some matters dealt with in family court?

Answer 6

• separation and divorce
• custody and access
• child support
• spousal support

Question 7

Purposes of domestic violence court?

Answer 7

• a therapeutic court that addresses domestic violence
• offers DVC treatment option which allows those who are willing to take responsibility of their actions, who elect to plead guilty, and address any substance abuse involved, in order to take a treatment program and receive a reduced sentence

Question 8

Purposes of drug court

Answer 8

A treatment program for an accused who have a substance abuse problem that played a role in their offence. After graduation from the treatment program the accused will receive a reduced sentence

Question 9

Who is responsible for selecting judges for the provincial court?

Answer 9

The Saskatchewan provincial court judicial council. Also hear complaints about the conduct of provincial court judges

Question 10

What are 3 criteria for the saskatchewan provincial court judicial council?

Answer 10

Educational achievement, strong legal skills, tolerance, compassion and sympathy

Question 11

If a person is unhappy with the conduct of a judge, where can they take their complaint? Can this same process aid a person who isn’t happy with a judges decision?

Answer 11

Make a formal complaint to the Saskatchewan provincial court judicial council. There is a difference between a judges conduct and a judge’s decision. This council cannot review a judges decision but a higher court can.

Question 12

What are 2 differences between normal court and Cree court?

Answer 12

• judges, clerks, and court workers speak Cree and accused may have access to Cree speaking legal aid lawyers
• the judge may emphasize Cree values regarding respect for one’s family and community in addition to sentencing principles in the criminal codes or youth criminal Justice act

Question 13

In the kings bench level of court, who is responsible for selecting new judges?

Answer 13

Minister of Justice

Question 14

What are some ways the court is able to collect monies owed under judgement?

Answer 14

Authority to investigate a judgement debtor’s assets and debts, and the authority subject to certain exemptions, to seize and sell a judgement debtor’s property including bank accounts, wages, partnership interests, securities, crops, other goods, and land

Question 15

What are three types of cases resolved in bankruptcy court?

Answer 15

• bankrupt person seeks to end bankruptcy (discharging) and they’ve been bankrupt more than once

• bankrupt person and trustee can’t agree about an aspect of bankruptcy administration

• bankrupt person discharge is opposed by a creditor, by bankruptcy trustee, or by the office of the superintendent of bankruptcy

Question 16

How are people selected to be summoned to jury? What does it mean if a potential juror is challenged?

Answer 16

• Health card number

• if they’re challenged they’re asked to return to the body of the courtroom. If not then they’re sworn as a juror.

Question 17

What are 3 reasons a juror may be excused from service?

Answer 17

• persons attendance would result in serious hardship or loss to that person, to others, or the the general public

• 65 years or older

• has served as a juror in the preceding two years

Question 18

What is the rate of pay for a juror on a criminal case?

Answer 18

$110 for each day or part of day that they sit unless they are receiving income from their employer while they’re sitting

Question 19

How many judges are the court of appeal and how are they chosen?

Answer 19

Consist of the chief Justice and 7 puisne judges appointed by the federal government. Those who want to be puisne judges have to apply to the commission of federal judicial affairs.

Question 20

What do the judges of the court of appeal do?

Answer 20

Sit in panels of 3, 5, or 7 to review cases from lower courts to look for errors.