Vocabulary
the institutions and procedures for applying laws in a society
What is the Justice system?
What is the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
to protect the general public and prevent crime
What are two of the main objectives of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
The justice system's last resort when it comes to dealing with a young offender
What is "incarceration" (AKA, prison time)?
The most common type of crime committed by a youth.
What are property crimes?
a permanent record of breaking the law, which is public information
What is a criminal record?
The age range to which the Youth Criminal Justice Act applies
What is 12-17 years old?
They are less extreme and usually more effective at getting a youth to not re-offend.
Why does the Youth Criminal Justice Act prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration?
processes other than court proceedings that are used to deal with a youth who has broken the law.
What are "extrajudicial measures"?
Two law advocacy groups that may be involved in a youth's journey through the criminal justice system.
What are the John Howard Society and Elizabeth Fry Society?
a consequence for a crime, such as a fine or imprisonment
What is a sentence?
that the justice system should be governed by rules that apply to everyone, taking into account individual needs and circumstances
What does "fair and equitable" mean?
Actions done to help youth understand the impact of their actions and fix the harm done to others.
What are "meaningful consequences"?
An alternative to the regular sentencing process, which is done by a small group of people that were involved in or affected by the crime.
What is a Sentencing Circle?
Twelve individuals over the age of 18 that must come to a unanimous decision about a criminal case
What is a jury?
A process of making a person "part of the group again"
What is reintegration?
The set of laws that governed the youth justice system before the Youth Criminal Justice Act came into effect in 2003
What was the Young Offenders Act?
The part of their brains responsible for helping them make good decisions is not yet fully developed
Why are youths not treated the same as adults in the justice system?
Four rights that a police officer must advise someone of if they are under arrest
What are "the right to know the reason for the arrest", "the right to remain silent", "the right to retain and instruct counsel", "the right to have a parent/guardian present during any questioning"?
If the youth is over 14 years old and has committed a very serious (usually violent) crime.
When is a judge allowed to consider applying an adult sentence to a youth?
A process "to instill positive behaviours and attitudes" in a person
What is rehabilitation?
the federal Minister of Justice when the Youth Criminal Justice Act came into effect
Who is Anne McLellan?
Factors that must be taken into account when law enforcement or a judge must decide how to handle a young offender
What are "the seriousness of the crime", "the youth's motivation to commit the crime", and "any history of prior criminal behaviour"?
Four examples of extrajudicial measures that might be used for a mild, first time offence
What are "apologizing to the victim", "restitution", "counselling", and "community service"?
When an individual is legally required to come to court and testify, whether they want to or not.
What is a subpoena?