What Role do What Role do Canadian Citizens Canadian Citizens Play in the Youth Play in the Youth Justice System? Justice System?

JurorsJurors

Advocacy GroupsAdvocacy Groups

EldersElders

What responsibilities do jurors What responsibilities do jurors have?have?• A jury consists of 12 Canadian citizens A jury consists of 12 Canadian citizens

who are 18 or older.who are 18 or older.• People who have committed some crimes People who have committed some crimes

are not eligible.are not eligible.• Once you are summoned, it is your duty to Once you are summoned, it is your duty to

serve.serve.• Your employer must give you time off if Your employer must give you time off if

you are summoned but does not have to you are summoned but does not have to pay you.pay you.

• You can be excused from jury duty if you You can be excused from jury duty if you can demonstrate that it would cause you can demonstrate that it would cause you undue hardship.undue hardship.

What does a juror do?What does a juror do?

• A jury consists of 12 people.A jury consists of 12 people.• Jurors swear an oath that they will Jurors swear an oath that they will

only use only use evidenceevidence to reach a verdict. to reach a verdict.• A person, 14 years or older, can A person, 14 years or older, can

choose to be tried by a judge or jury choose to be tried by a judge or jury for certain offences (ex. assault or for certain offences (ex. assault or murder).murder).

• A jury must agree A jury must agree unanimouslyunanimously on on the verdict.the verdict.

What are justice advocacy What are justice advocacy groups?groups?

• Justice advocacy groups are citizen-led Justice advocacy groups are citizen-led organizations that are involved in the justice organizations that are involved in the justice system.system.

• They work independently from the government.They work independently from the government.• They educate the public about laws and the They educate the public about laws and the

justice system.justice system.• They work with people who have broken the They work with people who have broken the

law.law.• They stand up for the rights of the accused.They stand up for the rights of the accused.• They try to improve fairness in the justice They try to improve fairness in the justice

system for the accused and victims.system for the accused and victims.

Examples of justice advocacy Examples of justice advocacy groupsgroups

• John Howard SocietyJohn Howard Society– Work with men, women, boys and girlsWork with men, women, boys and girls

• Elizabeth Fry SocietyElizabeth Fry Society– Focuses on justice issues for women Focuses on justice issues for women

and girlsand girls

What role do Elders What role do Elders have?have?

• Young offenders can face consequences from Young offenders can face consequences from Youth Justice Committees.Youth Justice Committees.

• These committees are a reflection of These committees are a reflection of sentencing circles which come from Aboriginal sentencing circles which come from Aboriginal traditions.traditions.

• Aboriginal committees meet with truth, peace Aboriginal committees meet with truth, peace and understanding.and understanding.

• Elders understand that crime affects a whole Elders understand that crime affects a whole community. community.

• The community must become involved in The community must become involved in solutions.solutions.