Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the significance of identifying as Indigenous when discussing bail with your lawyer?
What is the significance of identifying as Indigenous when discussing bail with your lawyer?
What are Gladue factors in the context of bail hearings?
What are Gladue factors in the context of bail hearings?
What are bail conditions?
What are bail conditions?
What happens if an individual breaches their bail conditions?
What happens if an individual breaches their bail conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by the 'ladder of release' in the context of bail?
What is meant by the 'ladder of release' in the context of bail?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do if you don't understand a question during your testimony?
What should you do if you don't understand a question during your testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
During the cross-examination, if a suggestion is made by the lawyer that you disagree with, what should you do?
During the cross-examination, if a suggestion is made by the lawyer that you disagree with, what should you do?
Signup and view all the answers
What is re-examination in the context of witness testimony?
What is re-examination in the context of witness testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
What should a witness do if they make a mistake during their testimony?
What should a witness do if they make a mistake during their testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens if a witness refuses to answer a question after the judge has instructed them to do so?
What happens if a witness refuses to answer a question after the judge has instructed them to do so?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a recommended approach if a lawyer's questions become uncomfortable during testimony?
What is a recommended approach if a lawyer's questions become uncomfortable during testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do immediately after finishing your testimony?
What should you do immediately after finishing your testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
If a lawyer stands up during your testimony, what does that typically indicate?
If a lawyer stands up during your testimony, what does that typically indicate?
Signup and view all the answers
What must you do within 6 months of being charged with a crime?
What must you do within 6 months of being charged with a crime?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'disclosure' in the context of a criminal case?
What is meant by 'disclosure' in the context of a criminal case?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a 'Crown pre-trial'?
What is a 'Crown pre-trial'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does VWAP provide updates on regarding a case?
What does VWAP provide updates on regarding a case?
Signup and view all the answers
If your case has been pending for over 6 months, what does the court typically require?
If your case has been pending for over 6 months, what does the court typically require?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant issue did the Supreme Court of Canada address in the Gladue case?
What significant issue did the Supreme Court of Canada address in the Gladue case?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the judge-led intensive case management court?
What is the purpose of the judge-led intensive case management court?
Signup and view all the answers
What must courts consider when sentencing an Indigenous person according to Gladue principles?
What must courts consider when sentencing an Indigenous person according to Gladue principles?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do if you have applied for a legal aid certificate?
What should you do if you have applied for a legal aid certificate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a subpoena?
What is a subpoena?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be considered the last choice when sentencing an Indigenous person?
What should be considered the last choice when sentencing an Indigenous person?
Signup and view all the answers
When testifying in court, what is required of the witness?
When testifying in court, what is required of the witness?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Gladue information pertain to when presented in court?
What does Gladue information pertain to when presented in court?
Signup and view all the answers
In addition to sentencing, when do Ontario courts apply Gladue principles?
In addition to sentencing, when do Ontario courts apply Gladue principles?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT considered a Gladue factor?
Which of the following is NOT considered a Gladue factor?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of disclosing one's Indigenous identity to a lawyer?
What is the purpose of disclosing one's Indigenous identity to a lawyer?
Signup and view all the answers
What must a witness do before testifying?
What must a witness do before testifying?
Signup and view all the answers
In what circumstances can a witness have a lawyer represent them at trial?
In what circumstances can a witness have a lawyer represent them at trial?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following actions can lead to a charge of perjury?
Which of the following actions can lead to a charge of perjury?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of support can the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) provide to witnesses?
What kind of support can the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) provide to witnesses?
Signup and view all the answers
What should a witness do if they have not been offered support from VWAP?
What should a witness do if they have not been offered support from VWAP?
Signup and view all the answers
When reviewing documents before testifying, which of the following is a witness NOT allowed to do?
When reviewing documents before testifying, which of the following is a witness NOT allowed to do?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of swearing an oath before testifying?
What is the primary purpose of swearing an oath before testifying?
Signup and view all the answers
What might happen if a witness is late for their court appearance?
What might happen if a witness is late for their court appearance?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do if you are testifying over Zoom?
What should you do if you are testifying over Zoom?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of the examination-in-chief?
What is the primary purpose of the examination-in-chief?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens during cross-examination?
What happens during cross-examination?
Signup and view all the answers
What must you do before giving testimony, regardless of whether it's in person or via Zoom?
What must you do before giving testimony, regardless of whether it's in person or via Zoom?
Signup and view all the answers
In which situation might you swear on a sacred eagle feather?
In which situation might you swear on a sacred eagle feather?
Signup and view all the answers
What do you need to remember about the microphone during in-person testimony?
What do you need to remember about the microphone during in-person testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of questions should you expect during the examination-in-chief?
What type of questions should you expect during the examination-in-chief?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of personal experiences can you testify about?
What type of personal experiences can you testify about?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Criminal Justice System Information
-
Timeframe after charge: After being charged with a crime, individuals have 6 months to decide on a trial, plead guilty, or agree to alternative measures (like community service).
-
Pre-trial Procedures: Several steps can be taken during this 6-month period to help make a decision, including:
- Gathering evidence (disclosure)
- Meeting with the Crown (Crown pre-trial)
- Meeting with a judge and Crown (judicial pre-trial)
-
Cases older than 6 months: For cases more than six months old, the court may require resolution on the next court date or scheduling of a trial.
-
Intensive Case Management: If a case takes a long time, a special court (judge-led intensive case management court) may be used to expedite the process.
-
Legal Aid Applications: Providing proof of a legal aid application (e.g., documents or emails from Legal Aid Ontario) to the court. Waiting for a decision on the application.
-
Witness Timeframe: Witnesses in criminal trials need to appear on a date and time specified by the court, (subpoena).
-
Witness Testimony: Witnesses must truthfully answer questions about the case to give evidence.
- The Crown or defence lawyer can call the witness
- Questions follow what the witness saw or heard
- Must promise to tell the truth (swearing an oath or affirmation)
- Testimony is used as evidence in the case
- Lying during testimony is against the law
-
Witness Preparation: Having a lawyer, or meeting with the lawyer preparing the witness for testimony.
-
Perjury: Making a false or misleading statement is considered perjury, a criminal offense.
Criminal Court Procedures
-
Only personal experience: Testifying about one's personal experiences. For example, sounds heard, sights observed.
-
No lawyer at trial: Usually, witnesses don't have lawyers to represent them during trials. A lawyer may give advise before testimony.
-
Victim/Witness Support: The Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) offers support to crime victims and witnesses, including accommodations needed for testifying..
-
Courtroom Behavior: Stop talking if the opposing lawyer stands up or objects to a question being asked.
-
Examination In-Chief: The first lawyer to question a witness, asking open-ended questions. Example: "Who, what, when, where, why, how"
-
Cross-Examination: Another lawyer questioning the witness. Questions won't be as open-ended and could relate to answers given in the in-chief stage.
-
Re-examination: First lawyer might ask further questions about previous cross-examination answers.
-
Court appearances: Arriving for court on time, following instructions, and possibly attending virtual court hearings.
Specific Issues Related to Indigenous People
-
Gladue Principle: Guidelines for sentencing Indigenous people, meaning jail should be the last resort, and court should consider systemic issues and cultural contexts.
-
Gladue Courts: A special court for Indigenous people, helping to consider the Gladue Principle during sentencing and bail hearings.
-
Background factors (Gladue factors): The court should consider past experiences, trauma, racism (and other systemic issues), poverty, or the impact of discrimination in determining sentencing and bail decisions.
-
Gladue Submissions: Arguments by lawyers to argue how the Gladue principles apply to the case.
Additional Information
-
Bail: Court decisions concerning release from custody, with conditions, before a trial.
-
Breach of Bail: Failure to meet bail conditions can result in being charged with a criminal offence and possible arrest and detention.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers key aspects of the criminal justice system, including timeframes after charges, pre-trial procedures, and case management. Understand the processes involved in handling criminal cases and the importance of legal aid. Test your knowledge on these critical elements of the legal framework.