The Justice System: Fair and Equitable for Youth? Chapter 2 p.56-87

Introduction Focus Questions: How do Canada’s justice system and the Youth Criminal Justice Act attempt to treat young offenders fairly and equitably? What role do Canadian citizens and organizations play in the fairness and equity of Canada’s justice system for youth?

Vocabulary Words to Know: Write down these words on a piece of paper as well as their definitions: Justice system Justice Fair and equitable Legislation validity

Discuss: Page 57 Why do you believe justice is often portrayed as blind? What challenges do the justice system do you think Justice McLachlin is referring to? In a just society, laws are applied fairly and consistently. Do you agree with Justice McLachlin’s statement that “nothing is more important than justice and a just society”? Why or why not?

How do Canada’s justice system and the YCJA attempt to treat young offenders fairly and equally? After reading about the young girl who went through the justice system: Please write a journal response to the question at the end of the cartoon: In your opinion, what factor had the biggest impact on this young offender’s change of attitude? Why? What life lessons can you learn from her story?

Vocabulary Words to Know: Write down these words on a piece of paper as well as their definitions: Community service Criminal record Sentence

Justice: Adult vs. Youth…What’s the Difference? P. 64 Create a t-table to compare and contrast the difference between the justice system for both adults and youth Youth JusticeAdult Justice

Connect to the Big Ideas Question #1: Work on this using construction paper to create a flow chart based on what happened inn the story of the girl in the cartoon Need Help? Check out page 348 You can use construction paper, markers etc. to make it creative

Consequences of Breaking the Law Page Flow Chart What does it tell you about Canadians’ concerns in providing fair and equitable justice for youth? If you do something wrong, how important is it to receive consequences quickly? Why? How important is it to make up for wrong actions that affect others?

Multimedia Presentation P , Handout Assignment, read over, ask questions if you have any

Note time Please take notes on the following sections: what factors determine the consequences young offenders face p68 What are the objectives of the YCJA? P 70 Inside the YCJA—p 69 Do you agree with Anne McLellan? Did she take the right approach in creating the YCJA?

It’s article time What is the main idea of each of the articles on pages What does it say about the fairness and equity of the justice system? Please answer these two questions in your notebooks

Political Cartoons P. 74 Type of persuasive communication, most use humour for serious purposes, make points about public figures, government or news events What to look for in a political cartoon: Symbols Message Situations

What role do Canadians play in the justice system for youth? P 78 What responsibilities do jurors have? Jury: what is it? Read “On Jury Duty” pgs Answer “Connect to the Big Ideas” questions 1 and 2

Advocacy Groups Two major advocacy groups: John Howard Society ( focus on all adults and youths in trouble with the law) Elizabeth Fry Society (focus on justice issues for women and girls) They work independently of the government, trying to solve underlying reasons for crimes. Call for measures to improve fairness in the justice system for those accused and the victims of crimes Provide public education about laws Work with people who have broken the law to help them return to their communities Stand up for the rights of those accused of a crime

Role of Elders in Justice System Read pages Sentencing circles: What is it? Where did they get the idea from? How is it used in the YCJA? Response: How are the Elders in First Nations communities similar to how we view elders in the Islamic tradition?