By the end of this section you should be able to explain:

• Roles and responsibilities of citizens in the justice system

• Problems with the justice system and suggestions of how to reduce crime

Why should you learn what our responsibilities are in the justice system?

advocacy group - a group of people who work to support an issue or protect and defend a group of people

civic duty - responsibility of being a  citizen in a country

defence - the evidence that supports the innocence of the person being accused of a crime (witness testimony or physical evidence)

jury - a group of people who have sworn and oath to listen to the facts given in the court proceedings and determine if the person is guilty or not guilty or if a claim has been proved

prosecution - the evidence that supports the guilt of an accused person

sequester - remove a person person who is part of a jury so as not to be contacted by someone outside of the courtroom in order to consider only the evidence provided in court

• There are 12 jurors  for each case

• To reach a verdict, all jurors must agree on the decision

• All citizen's 18 years and older are eligible for jury duty

• Serving as a juror is part of your civic duty

• Employers must give you time off in order to serve your duty, but you do not have to be paid for the leave 

• Once selected to be a juror, you will be paid $50/day

• You must show up on time, make arrangements for time off work/classes, and take care of your own transportation

• People summoned to be a juror can be excused if they can prove they are unable to participate or if they have committed certain crimes

Alberta Jury Duty

Examples of what other how other provinces track and compensate those who skip out on jury duty - Jury duty:  tracking no-shows and compensation across Canada

Read page 80 and 81 to hear one account of an experience as a juror

There are two organizations that help those who may have been impacted by crime 

the John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society

They assist by

• working with those who have commited a crime

• advocating for criminal justice change for more equitable and fair treatment

• educating the public on criminal law and its application

• promoting crime prevention

Examples of how the John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society can help

• Assist in job preparedness

• Budgeting

• Developing appropriate social skills

• Rehabilitating someone who has been in the system and is returning to society

Communities help to work with young offenders by participating in youth justice committees.  One of these members may be a representative of the Indigenous people.  Ideas of how to address a youths criminal actions and determine consequences come from ideas that represent the traditions of the First Nations.  

How elders assist the committee:

• Initiate the smudging ceremony to help move the meeting in the right direction

• Help the youth feel welcome and remind the youth they are part of a community who seeks their best interest

• Promote the unique culture and identity of the First Nations people

• Help promote balance in the four great directions:  

  • physical

  • spiritual

  • emotional

  • mental

• Guide the youth in developing the necessary traits to become an elder

Policy #4 - How will your party address youth and adult crime in Canada?

Go to Workspace and open the Google Slides attached to the card titled Policy #4 - How will your party address youth and adult crime in Canada?

Respond to the research questions to help develop your response to the question.

Record your answer to the question, making sure that your response provides a clear outline of what the Criminal Code of Canada is, current trends in criminal behaviour within Canada, your opinion of how effective the code is at meeting its purpose, how effective it is at reducing the number of reoffenders, and what you would like to do to address the adult and youth crime rates within Canada.