Chapter 2 To What Extent is the Justice System Fair and Equitable for Youth?

1. Chapter 2To What Extent is the Justice System Fair and Equitable for Youth?

2. Terms • Fair and Equitable • Governed by rules that apply to everyone, taking into account individual needs and circumstances • Justice • Applying laws • Justice System • The institution and procedures for applying laws in a society

3. Class Discussion • Why is Justice often portrayed as blind?

4. Pg 57 • Read Beverly Mclauchlin’s remarks • What challenges is she referring to? • Do you agree with her statement “nothing is more important then justice”? Why or why not?

5. What's to come- pg 60 • What are we hoping to learn this chapter? • What questions do I need to be able to answer? • Read “inside the Justice System” comic • What factors had the biggest impact on this young offenders change of attitude? • What life lessons can we learn from her story?

6. How are Youth and Adult Justice Different in Canada? • Canada has different legislation for youth and adults who break the law Youth Criminal Justice Act Criminal Code of Canada Young Offenders Adult Offenders

7. Youth Criminal Justice Act • Deals with 12-17 year olds in trouble with the law • Allows some young offenders to face consequences such as counseling and community service • Prohibits adult sentencing for 12-14 year olds. Allows adult sentencing for young people 14 and up who have committed serious crimes • Protects the privacy of young offenders • News media cannot publish names unless they receive and adult sentence • Allows most young offenders to avoid a criminal record

8. Criminal Code of Canada • Deals with adults in trouble with the law • Makes going to court the usual consequence • Defines adult sentences, which can include periods of imprisonment for some crimes • Allows the publication of the offenders name • Creates a criminal record

9. Time to think….. • How might a criminal record affect your quality of life?

10. Flow Chart- Pg 66 • What are the consequences if you break the law as a young offender? • Before the YCJA, every young person who broke the law charged and went to court. This meant that often: • Young offenders did not face consequences for a long time as courts are very busy • The consequences did not always connect back to the communities affected

11. Factors that Determine Consequences for Young Offenders • Lets read and summarize pg. 68

12. Objectives of the YCJA • 1. Prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying young persons offending behavior • Ex. ????? • 2. Rehabilitate young offenders and reintegrate them into society • Ex. ??

13. 3. ensure that the young person is subject to meaningful consequences for the offence in order to promote long term protection of society • Ex. ????? • 4. The YCJA must recognize that young people are separate from adults and have reduced levels of maturity • Ex. ????

14. Is it Working? • Analyze the graph on pg 71 • Based on your knowledge and the graph, do you think that the number of crimes committed by youth in this country has been reduced because of the YCJA? • Complete objectives of the YCJA worksheet

15. Political Cartoons • Political cartoons convey an opinion about a topic. • They are a type of persuasive communication • Cartoons have to be analyzed to understand their message. • Political Cartoon worksheet

17. What Role do Citizens and Organizations Play in the fairness and equity of Canada's Justice System for Youth?

18. Responsibilities of a Juror • Under the YCJA, a person under the age of 14 may choose to tried by a judge and jury for certain serious crimes • For these offences, juries must have 12 people and all 12 must agree on a verdict • Anyone 18 yrs of age and older and is a Canadian citizen is eligible for jury duty with some exceptions • what might these exceptions be? • Jury duty is considered a duty 0f Canadian citizens • If you are summoned, you must make any and all arrangement to be at the courthouse • Employers must give you time off • You can be excused if you can prove it will cause you hardship

19. Its important to remember that a jury does not have to come to a verdict that the judge or members of the public must agree with • They must remain impartial, regardless of the issue • Jury selection is a very important part of the justice process. Both sides of a case must agree on who will part of the jury. • Ex. Member of KKK as a member of the OJ Simpson trial

20. Juror terms These terms can be found on pg 79. read, summarize, and put into your notes • Defense • Prosecution • Sequester

21. Justice Advocacy Groups • These organizations work independently from the government. They try to solve the underlying reasons for crime • They Provide public education about the YCJA and the Criminal Code of Canada • They help people who have broken the law return to their communities • They stand up for the rights of youths and adults accused of crimes

22. John Howard Society • Works with men, women, boys, and girls in trouble with the law • What does Brad Olsen have to say about the importance of the John Howard Society?- pg 82 • Read handout and answer questions

23. Elizabeth Fry Society • Focuses on justice issues for women and girls • What does Jacqueline Biollo have to say about the society and its role? • To what extent do both societies agree on what goals the justice system should have?

24. The Role of Elders • Sometimes the fate of a youth can be decided by a committee of elders- people in the community who are older and respected. An elder is someone that the youth in that community should look up to and strive to be like.

25. Chapter 2 Assignment • YCJA Multimedia Presentation