Criminal Justice in Canada

The foundational principles of a fair and just society, ensuring everyone is treated fairly and has their rights respected.

The process of settling disputes while ensuring individual rights are respected and protected.

The supreme law of Canada, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and rights to all citizens.

The freedom to believe in any religion or none at all, express your thoughts and opinions, gather peacefully, and join organizations.

Rights that ensure citizens can participate in democracy, move freely within Canada, access legal representation, and live in a non-discriminatory society based on equality.

The principle that all laws in Canada must be consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Rights that protect the use and promotion of English and French languages in Canada.

Rights that guarantee equal treatment and prevent discrimination based on personal characteristics.

Laws based on previous court decisions, also known as "judicial precedent".

Laws established by written legislation through the parliamentary process.

A legal principle stating that courts must follow previous decisions on similar cases.

Deals with disputes between private individuals or corporations, like contracts, family matters, and estates.

Involves matters of public interest, where the government acts as the prosecutor.

A type of public law that involves crimes against the state.

A type of public law that deals with ensuring the Constitution's provisions are upheld.

A type of public law that governs administrative bodies and their decisions.

The "notwithstanding clause" allows federal and provincial governments to temporarily override specific Charter rights in certain situations, even if those rights are usually protected.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognizes that not all rights are absolute: they can be limited based on specific circumstances.

The government or prosecution bears the responsibility to prove that a person is guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Section 1 of the Charter allows for reasonable limitations on rights if those limitations demonstrably justify the infringement of rights.

Section 2(a) of the Charter guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. It allows individuals to hold and express their religious beliefs without undue interference.

Section 7 of the Charter protects the right to life, liberty, and security of the person. This means the government cannot infringe on these rights without a good reason.

The Charter often presents conflicting principles, requiring careful consideration of the balance between individual rights and collective well-being.

The extent of freedom of expression should be limited only when it infringes on the rights of others or the core values of our society.

The right to be notified of the reason for arrest, the right to remain silent, the right to consult with a lawyer, the burden of proof rests with the Crown, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Due process focuses on ensuring that the procedures in the justice system are fair, while crime control focuses on protecting the public by catching and punishing offenders. Due process focuses on legal guilt while crime control focuses on factual guilt.

Due process is a legal philosophy that emphasizes fairness and a fair trial for all accused individuals, ensuring that the proceedings are conducted in a just manner.

Crime control is a philosophy that prioritizes protecting the public from criminals by focusing on swift and efficient apprehension, conviction, and punishment of offenders.

The expectation that seeing others get caught and punished will deter others from committing crimes. This is used as a strategy to discourage criminal behavior by showcasing the consequences of wrongdoings.

The Canadian Justice system strives for a balance between fairness and effectiveness by incorporating elements of both the due process and crime control models.

The Canadian Justice system uses a combination of due process and crime control to ensure a system that is both fair and effective in resolving crimes.

The main goal of due process is to ensure that all legal rights of the accused are protected and respected during the justice process.

A court hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial.

The official statement by an accused person about their guilt or innocence.

The formal trial process, where evidence is presented and a verdict is reached.

The consequences imposed on an offender after being found guilty.

The phase where the correctional service determines how the offender will serve their sentence.

Different types of punishment that can be imposed on an offender.

The process of helping an offender adjust back into society after completing their sentence.

Supervised release after a sentence, aimed at helping the offender reintegrate into society.

The media informs the public about Canada's criminal justice system, holding it accountable for its actions. It acts as a watchdog and ensures transparency.

The process of a criminal case from initial charges to reintegration of the offender back into society.

The phase before a trial begins. It includes reporting a crime, laying charges, making an arrest, and issuing court dates.

An official document outlining the charges against a suspect, initiating a criminal case.

When a suspect is taken into custody by the police.

A legal notice instructing a suspect to appear in court on a specified date.

A formal document given to a suspect, requiring them to appear in court at a specific time and place.

The phase where a case is presented in court, evidence is presented, and a verdict is reached.