Criminal Court Structure
Judges
Lawyers
Juries, Witness and Everyone Else
Terminology
100
Name one television show or film where you witness a Criminal trial occur
In Canada, the design of a courtroom may differ from those that you have seen on TV or on the news in other countries
100
True or False - Judges are not publicly appointed officials
FALSE - Judges are public appointed officials
100
Who does the 'prosecution' represent and who does the 'defendant' represent in a Criminal Case?
Prosecution - the Crown, or also known as government lawyers
Defendant - the individual being tried for criminal action
100
True or False - you are required to be a juror once you are summoned to jury duty?
If you are summoned for jury duty, it does not mean you are automatically a juror; you will have to participate in the jury selection process.
100
What is an 'appeal?'
“If you are found guilty of a criminal offence, you may ask a higher court to review decisions made during the trial. This is called an appeal. You can ask the court to look at the conviction (what you were found guilty of doing) or the sentence (the punishment the court ordered).
200
What does 'SCC' stand for and why is it significant within Criminal Law proceedings?
The Supreme Court of Canada - is the highest appeals court in the Canadian Justice System - it deals with the most serious civil and criminal law cases
200
Can Judges make decisions without a Jury?
Yes - in trials without juries, the judge fulfills the role of the jury
200
Name ONE responsibility the Prosecution has during court proceedings?
Conduct research about the law
Collect evidence
Prepare exhibits
Interview and prepare witnesses
Present cases again the defense
200
Once a witness has been summoned to court, if they do not show - they can be found guilty of ...
If a witness does not appear in court, they can be found guilty
of contempt of court.- Evidence is presented under oath. Presenting false evidence can result in charges and jail time (perjury)
200
What is a subpoena, and who would receive it?!
Witnesses appear in court by the use of a subpoena, which is a court document that orders a witness to appear in court at a certain date and time to present evidence in a case
300
Where are 95% of charges under the 'Criminal Code, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act' settled?
The Ontario Court of Justice
300
Judges need to make impartial judgements - what does 'impartial' mean?
treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just
300
Completely Unrelated Questions:
When was Westlane founded?
1960
300
Completely Unrelated Questions:
What is my name?
Ms. Bosgraaf
300
If a Jury's deliberation and decision is not unanimous, it is considered a..
Hung Jury
This is rare
If this happens then this jury is dismissed and the case is tried again with a new jury
400
List 2 examples of serious criminal offences that may be tried at the Superior Court of Justice?
Ex. murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking, and other offences against the security of the state, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit one of these offences
400
DOUBLE JEOPARDY! Who is this? She recently passed in 2020 as a hint.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman and the first Jewish woman ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She was appointed in 1993 when she was 60 years old. During her years on the bench, she has been a champion of gay rights, women's rights, the poor, and many other marginalized groups.
400
Completely Unrelated Questions:
List 10 Disney Films
400
Provide 4 possible reasons why an individual may be exempt from jury duty?!
The Crown & Defence have the right to accept or reject jurors. Throughout this process, they consider the following factors:
Juror’s age
Gender
Marital status
Ethnicity
Religion
Financial status
Occupation
The following people are exempt from jury duty:
Under 18 years old
Not a Canadian citizen
An MP, MPP, senator, or municipal councillor
Judges
Doctors, nurses, wardens, sheriffs, prison guards (and their spouses)
Police officers
Lawyers
Blind or mentally disabled citizens
Person previously convicted of an indictable offence
Firefighters
Others Causes may include; Financial Hardship/young parents
400
What is an 'arraignment?'
The arraignment is the formal reading of the criminal charges against the defendant
500
Completely Unrelated Questions:
True or False - the (US) Supreme Court has its own private tennis court
FALSE
There's a basketball court on the top floor of the U.S. Supreme Court Building. Its nickname? "the highest court in the land."
500
During Jury Selection, the judge, Crown and the defense ask questions of the jury to make sure they are suitable candidates for the job. What are some possible issues that may cause a judge to dismiss a juror?
The person has a personal interest in the matter being tried.
The person has a personal relationship with the accused.
Personal hardship.
500
Completely Unrelated Questions:
Name every student in this classroom!
Woot - great job getting to know each other!
500
What are the THREE types of challenges in the Jury Selection Process?
500
What is the purpose of the 'empaneling' process?
It is the process where the Judge, Crown and Defense process/question/select suitable members to join the jury
