1. The Judicial Branch Finding Justice in Society

2. What does the judicial branch do? The judicial branch includes Canada’s courts of law. The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada. The judicial branch is separate from the other branches acts as a check on their powers interprets and applies all law in Canada, defends the rights of Canadians.

3. WHO BECOMES A SUPREME COURT JUDGE? The Supreme Court has nine judges from four regions of Canada. For most of Canada’s history, the PM and cabinet have appointed Supreme Court judges when positions became vacant In February 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper changed the appointment process. The PM and cabinet now nominate judges, who then go through a review by a committee of MPs. In 2007, the PM still had the power to appoint the judge of his choice.

4. To what extent is the justice system fair and equitable for youth? fair and equitable: governed by rules that apply to everyone, taking into account individual needs and circumstances

5. Is justice blind? Why do you think it is – why do you think it is not? Should the justice system be “blind?”

6. The Stages of the Justice System Read the following cartoon: p. 61-63. Try to write down the steps that the young girl went through in the Justice System. What rights did the accused have? Why do you think the criminal had to face their victim? What do you think would be an appropriate punishment?

7. Stages of the Justice System 1. Crime is committed. 2. Person is arrested and given rights: What are their rights? What are their rights? Why are people given these rights? Why are people given these rights? Why is the presumption of innocence important? Why is the presumption of innocence important? 3. Person is asked for a statement after being read their rights. 4. Person’s picture and finger prints are taken. 5. Parents are called to pick up the individual (why was the accused released?). 6. Meet with the Youth Justice Committee/ or go to Court – what do they do? 7. The accused met with the victim. 8. Sentence is carried out or else the accused goes to court. IS THIS A FAIR PROCESS? EXPLAIN IS THIS A FAIR PROCESS? EXPLAIN

8. Role Play In groups of 4 create your own role play showing the steps of the justice system. In groups of 4 create your own role play showing the steps of the justice system. You will need to choose a crime (make it PG rated), have a police officer/ lawyer/ judge/ criminal/ victim. You will need to choose a crime (make it PG rated), have a police officer/ lawyer/ judge/ criminal/ victim. You will need to show how the situation is resolved. You have 3 min. to tell your story. You will need to show how the situation is resolved. You have 3 min. to tell your story.

10. Cartoon

11. Interpreting Political Cartoons Summarize the cartoon on the previous page in one sentence.

12. Criteria You are the crown prosecutor in a case involving a teen. What are three things about the accused you’ll take into consideration before deciding what consequences the teen will face? Explain why your criteria is important.

13. The Purpose of the YCJA Look at the following chart: Look at the following chart:

15. The Purpose of the YCJA After reading the chart – what is the primary purpose of the YCJA? Prediction: What effect do you think a program like this would have on youth crime?

17. What conclusions can you reach after looking at the previous graph? What conclusions can you reach after looking at the previous graph? Do you think that being more reflective with young offenders is a better way of making young people think twice? – Explain. Do you think that being more reflective with young offenders is a better way of making young people think twice? – Explain.

18. Do you agree? Q: Why does the YCJA establish a difference between young offenders and adult offenders? Young people, up to a certain age, should not be treated as adults. They do not understand their actions in the same way we expect of adults. When you talk to young people, and study their reactions and responses to situations, they’re different than adults. They are still in the process of forming their views. Also, a young person who has committed a crime has a better chance of changing their life than an adult criminal.

19. Evaluating the YCJA Individually read p. 72-73 in your textbook. What are some of the areas that people see as unfair in the treatment of young people? Individually read p. 72-73 in your textbook. What are some of the areas that people see as unfair in the treatment of young people?

20. Evaluating the YCJA Working in assigned groups – complete the following tasks: Working in assigned groups – complete the following tasks: “Should law be more concerned with protecting the rights of young people (12- 17 year olds), or protecting the rights of all people?” Explain your answer. “Should law be more concerned with protecting the rights of young people (12- 17 year olds), or protecting the rights of all people?” Explain your answer. “How can a law protect people in society while still offering young offenders time to ‘grow into’ law keeping adults?” “How can a law protect people in society while still offering young offenders time to ‘grow into’ law keeping adults?”