Youth Criminal Justice Act
* Students will analyze the role that citizens and organizations play in Canada's justice system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
This Unit explores the extent to which Canada's justice system is fair and equitable. How effectively does it protect society, protect the innocent, and ensure that those who break the law face appropriate consequences? The justice system is an important aspect of governance in Canada, and Canadians have different view and perspectives about how justice should be served. One of the fundamental principles of justice in Canada and other democratic countries is that a person is assumed innocent until proven guilty.
This Unit explores the extent to which Canada's justice system is fair and equitable. How effectively does it protect society, protect the innocent, and ensure that those who break the law face appropriate consequences? The justice system is an important aspect of governance in Canada, and Canadians have different view and perspectives about how justice should be served. One of the fundamental principles of justice in Canada and other democratic countries is that a person is assumed innocent until proven guilty.
Lesson 1: Participating in our Justice System
* How do citizens and organizations participate in Canada's justice system? (i.e., jury duty, knowing the law, advocacy, John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society)?
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* What are citizens' legal roles and their responsibilities?
The roles and responsibilities of every person in Canada is to pay taxes and obey the laws of the country. Canadian citizens have the added responsibility to exercise their right to vote in elections.
- Voting - Every Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older has the rights to vote. The citizen must be registered with Elections Canada and they vote for a person, to be their local representative at either the Municipal, Provincial, or Federal levels of government.
- Paying Taxes - Each person in Canada is required to pay taxes on a variety of items. For example property tax, the GST, income tax and a variety of other provincial/territorial and federal taxes.
- Legal Roles include voting in elections for the candidate who has views about the justice system and laws that you share.
- Legal Responsibilities include paying your taxes, knowing the laws, and obeying the laws.
Criminal Code of Canada
- This law defines the consequences adults face for criminal offences
- Deals with adults in trouble with the law
- Makes going to court the usual consequence for breaking the law
- Defines adult sentences, which can include long periods of imprisonment for some crimes
- Allows for publication of offenders' names
- Creates a criminal record for most offenders
- Must receive a 'pardon' in order to remove a criminal record - more restrictions based on Bill c-23
Lesson 2: Youth Criminal Justice Act
* What is the intention of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
What is the YCJA?
The Youth Criminal Justice Act is for adolescence from the ages of 12-17 years of age. It ensures that these youth receive consequences for breaking the law and opportunities for counseling and therapy. It prohibits adult sentences for those 12-14, but allows adult sentences for those 14 and over who have committed serious crimes. The YCJA was passed by Parliament in 2003, protects the privacy of young offenders and allows most young offenders to avoid a criminal record.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act is for adolescence from the ages of 12-17 years of age. It ensures that these youth receive consequences for breaking the law and opportunities for counseling and therapy. It prohibits adult sentences for those 12-14, but allows adult sentences for those 14 and over who have committed serious crimes. The YCJA was passed by Parliament in 2003, protects the privacy of young offenders and allows most young offenders to avoid a criminal record.
Objectives
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