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

2. Terms Fair and Equitable Justice Justice System
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 year olds in trouble with the law
Allows some young offenders to face consequences such as counseling and community service
Prohibits adult sentencing for 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