unit two: justice system Flashcards
Justice
Applying laws
Fair and equitable
Governed by rules that apply to everyone, taking into account individual needs and circumstances.
Justice system
The institutions and procedures for applying laws in a society
Legislation
Laws created through the legislative process
Validity
Reliability, based on critical assessment of source, facts and bias
Community service
Help in the community performed as part of a sentence, such as assisting with a community clean up or food bank
Criminal record
A permanent record of breaking the law, which is public information. A criminal record can bar you from some jobs, volunteer work and travelling to other communities and countries
Sentence
A consequence for a crime such as imprisonment, detriments by a court of law.
YCJA
Youth criminal justice act
Deals with 12-17 year olds in trouble with the law
Allows some young offenders to have sentences such as counselling and civil service
Prohibits adult sentences for ages 12-14 but allows it for 14+ who committed serious crimes
Protects the privacy of young offenders from the public media
Allows most young offenders to avoid a criminal record
Criminal Code of Canada
CCOC
Deals with adults in trouble with the law
Makes going to court the usual consequence for breaking the law
Defines adult sentences which can include long periods of imprisonment for some crimes
Allows the publication of offenders name
Creates a criminal record for most
When young people break the law…
Young person- breaks law- police officer- charges/doesn’t charge
Charges offender
Crime is serious or other circumstances apply- prosecutor/court- judge- sentences with a program by YCJA or sentencing circle, social works and professionals or gives a person a sentence which includes community services, counselling, prison, criminal record, restitution
Doesn’t charge offender
Gives young person a warning or refers the young person to a program to help: social workers, mental health workers, community volunteers- programs given to offender using YCJA, sentencing circles, social workers or professionals- completed program
Other circumstances when youth break law
Has a previous criminal record
Refuses to provide the name of parent or gaurdian
Before the YCJA…
Every young person is sent to court and charged for breaking the law which meant:
Young offenders did not face consequences for a long time because courts were busy with other cases
The consequences didn’t always connect back to the people/communities affected by the offender