ESSENTIAL QUESTION: to What Extent Is the Justice System Fair and Equitable for Youth?

Name______Homeroom ______

CHAPTER 2

**** Flip to the last page of this booklet and fill out the “K” and the “W” column on the KWL chart before beginning the questions

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: To what extent is the justice system fair and equitable for youth?

1. What is JUSTICE and one of the fundamental principles of justice?

2. What is meant by the phrase “having a fair and equitable justice system”?

Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

3. Read the comic titled “Inside the Justice System” (p. 61-63)

a) If you get caught breaking the law, who will be making CHOICES for you?

b) If you are arrested, what RIGHTS do you have?

4. The YCJA was passed by parliament in ______.

Youth Justice vs. Adult Justice in Canada

5. Explain how adult justice and youth justice are different in Canada by filling in the following chart

YOUTH JUSTICE / ADULT JUSTICE
Legislation Used
Applies to
Consequences
Sentencing
Privacy Issues
Criminal Record

Consequences of Young Offenders breaking the law

*Use the flow chart on p. 66-67 to answer the next 4 questions.

6. If a young person breaks the law, what are the choices available to a police officer?

7. Name the 5 people who work with youth who are in trouble with the law

8. Give 3 circumstances when a young offender might be sent to court

9. List 5 things that may be included in a young offender’s sentence

10. What 2 flaws, in regards to consequences, existed in the youth justice system before the YCJA?

11. Describe 4 factors that may be considered when deciding the consequences for a young offender

“Create a skit” assignment – See separate handout (9.2.4) for details and rubric

Objectives of the YCJA

Prime stated principle of the YCJA: “long-term protection of the public” (i.e. crime prevention)

12.What are the 3 sub-goals of the YCJA? (p. 70)

13. Read the articles on pages 72-73 to see the many perspectives about the youth justice system in Canada. In one or two sentences, state the main message of each article.

a) Article 1 – Automatic Adult Jail Terms Eyed For Youth?

b) Article 2 – Justice System Discriminates Against Aboriginal People

c) Article 3 – Justice Can Be Seen To Be Done

d) Article 4 – Identify Violent Youth Offenders

14. CRITICAL CHALLENGE

a) How do crimes affect the quality of life and identity of victims?

b) To what extent are these important factors (question 14.a) in determining consequences for young offenders?

“Article Adjudicator” assignment – See separate handout (9.2.5) for details and rubric

The Role of Canadian Citizens and Organizations

15. Who is NOT eligible for, or can be excused from jury duty? (p.79)

16. JURIES MUST:

a) have how many people? ______

b) reach what decision? ______

c) be how old? _____

d) be a ______citizen

e) swear what kind of an oath? ______

17. Serving on juries is considered a DUTY of Canadian citizenship. What RESPONSIBILITIES come with this duty?

18. Justice is often described as being blind. Read the story of the Alberta juror on pages 80-81. What steps were taken to make sure that the jurors weren’t influenced in their decision? Identify at least 4.

REFLECT: I have seen this before when ______

Advocacy Groups

19. What are advocacy groups? Summarize with a few words for each bullet point

20. Who does the John Howard Society help?

21. Prevention is a main goal of the JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY. Describe the JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY’S perspective on prevention.

22. Who does the Elizabeth Fry Society help?

23. What is the ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY’S philosophy? Briefly describe heir perspective.

24. Why do Aboriginal sentencing circles include community members? (p.84-85)

25. EXPLAIN the saying “ignorance of the law is no excuse” (p.82)

Summary

Give some possible reasons for Canada to have a separate legislation for young offenders. (Why make the YCJA for young offenders instead of including them in the adult justice system). * Think about “having a fair and equitable justice system” (q.1)

Distinguish the meaning of the 4R’s of Justice ** Think back to q. 12

· Rehabilitation

· Re-integration

· Retributive justice

· Reformative justice

Self-Reflection

How well did I read and understand?

What strategies worked well for me?

What strategies did not work for me?

Equitable ______

______

Justice ______

______

Validity ______

______

Community service ______

______

Criminal record ______

______

Sentence ______

______

Rehabilitate ______

______

Reintegrate ______

______

Defence ______

______

Prosecution ______

______

Sequester ______

______

KWL CHART

What do I Know?
K / What do I want to know?
W / What have I learned?
L