1. What Are We Learning Today? 9.1.5 What is the intention of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?

2. Imagine this scenario. You and a friend are hanging around the local store after school. You accidentally break a window. The storeowner calls the police, who arrest you and want to charge you with vandalism. How would you want this situation to turn out? What would be just?

3. Page 57. Why do you believe justice is often portrayed as being blind?

4. How are youth justice & adult justice different in Canada? Canada has different legislation for young people who break the law versus adults. The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) was passed by parliament in 2003. Canada has had laws like the YCJA – that treat young offenders differently from adult offenders – since the 1980s.

5. Youth Criminal Justice Act Deals with 12 to 17 year olds in trouble with the law. Allows some young offenders to face consequences such as counselling and community service. Prohibits adult sentences for youths 12 to 14 years of age. Allows adult sentences for young people 14 years of age and older who have committed serious crimes.

6. Youth Criminal Justice Act Cont’d Protects the privacy of young offenders. News media may not publish their names unless they receive an adult sentence. Allows most young offenders to avoid a criminal record. Criminal record: a permanent record of breaking the law, which is public information. A criminal record can bar you from some jobs, volunteer positions and travel to other countries.

7. Criminal Code of Canada 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’ names. Creates a criminal record for most offenders. Pg. 66 - 67

8. What factors determine the consequences young offenders face? The seriousness of the offence. The history of the young person. The attitude of the young person. The circumstances of the young person. Example: a young person’s actions may relate to substance abuse, or to a situation they face at home or in their community. They may need support from a social worker more than consequences from the justice system. Interview pg. 69.

9. What are the objectives of the Youth Criminal Justice Act? Prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying a young person’s offending behaviour. Rehabilitate young persons who commit offences and reintegrate them into society. Ensure that a young person is subject to meaningful consequences. The criminal justice system for young persons must be separate from adults and recognize their reduced level of maturity.

10. Are the consequences for young offenders appropriate? Examine the following 4 articles on pages 72 & 73 and answer the following questions on each article: What is the main idea of the article? (What problem is it talking about?) Do you think the author or the people cited in the article think Canada’s justice system is fair?

11. What Are We Learning Today? How do citizens and organizations participate in Canada’s justice system (jury duty, knowing the law, advocacy, John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIJSwGJqCU

12. What’s a jury? Under the YCJA, a young person 14 years of age or older may choose to be tried by a judge and jury for certain serious offences, such as assault or murder. For these offenses, juries always have 12 ppl and all 12 must agree on the verdict. Their decision must be unanimous. Anyone 18 years of age and older who is a Canadian citizen is eligible for jury duty, with some exceptions. For example, people convicted of some crimes are not eligible.

13. Jury Duty Continued Serving on juries is considered a duty of Canadian citizens. If you are summoned to jury duty, it’s your responsibility to appear at the courthouse on time. You must make whatever arrangements are necessary for transportation, time off work or classes, and rebooking appointments. Employers have to give you time off for jury duty, but don’t have to pay you. People are excused from jury duty only if they can demonstrate that it would cause them undue hardship.

14. Homework Pg. 80-81 Read pages 80-81 and answer the following questions: Read the word bubble on pg. 81. Why do you think all the jurors had to follow the one juror who was a smoker when he/she went outside for breaks? What evidence can you find that the procedures surrounding juries attempt to treat accused people fairly? (Find 3 things).

15. Knowing the Law What does the saying, “ignorance of the law is no excuse” mean?

16. What are Advocacy Groups? Canada has 2 major citizen-led organizations involved in the justice system: the John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society. These organizations work independently of gov’t. They try to solve the underlying reasons for crime. They provide public education about laws and the justice system and work with and stand up for the rights of youths and adults accused of crimes.

17. Advocacy Groups Cont’d Justice advocacy groups call for measures to improve the fairness of the justice system for ppl accused of crimes and those harmed by crime. The Elizabeth Fry Society focuses on justice issues for women and girls. The John Howard Society works with men, women, boys and girls in trouble with the law.

18. Class Activity Read the following excerpts from Brad Odsen & Jacqeline Biollo on pg. 82 & 83 and answer the following questions: How does Brad Odsen think the best way to prevent crime is? What does he think doesn’t work? Why does he think politicians don’t think it’s popular to prevent crime? Why does Jacqeline Biollo think every case where someone breaks the law needs to be looked at individually?

19. START STUDYING FOR YOUR TEST!!! Test: Friday, October 30