Exam 2: The Structure and Process of Criminal Justice

Describe and discuss the responsibilities for criminal justice of a) the federal government; b) provincial/territorial governments; and c) municipal governments.

Which orientation to criminal justice prioritizes the legal rights of individual citizens, including crime suspects?

In Canada, which of the following holds the power and responsibility for creating, amending, and repealing the criminal law?

Define and discuss the term "task environment," as well as its implications for the way the criminal justice system operates. Using your own city or province/territory as an example, identify differences between and even within one jurisdiction, identifying how these environments pose different and challenging circumstances for the criminal justice system.

Compare and contrast the key differences between the fields of criminology and criminal justice. How are these fields similar? What are the major differences between the two?

A key focus in criminology is on the potential causes of crime.

Which level of government is responsible for the Criminal Code?

The RCMP is considering offering a monetary pay-out to a serial killer in exchange for information about the location the remains of several missing victims. Which of the following best describes this practice?

Everyone who works in the criminal justice system is a government employee.

Most of the decisions of criminal justice decision makers are based on scientific formulas.

In recent years the criminal justice system has seen an increase in the number of persons with mental illness and substance addictions entering the system. Which of the following best describes this challenge?

Both federal and provincial/territorial judges are subject to review by the Canadian Judicial Council.

Consider the "criminal justice funnel" depicted in Figure 2.3 on page 27. Identify the factors that contribute to the attrition of cases from the police stage to the corrections stage. What role do factors such as being a member of a cultural or visible minority, being Aboriginal, being poor, the seriousness of the offence, plea bargaining, and having a good lawyer play in creating the "funnel"?

Discuss the effectiveness of criminal law as a deterrent from committing crime. Discuss the conditions that must be present for criminal law to act as a deterrent, as demonstrated by research evidence. Why are you deterred from committing criminal acts? Does the law acts as an effective deterrent for you and your friends/family? Discuss whether or not they believe criminal law serves as an effective deterrent, the circumstances if/when it does, and what prevents criminal law from being an effective deterrent to criminal behaviour.

The federal Department of Justice is responsible for law reform and criminal justice policy.

Aboriginal individuals are overrepresented at all stages of the criminal justice system.

In recent years the federal government has pushed to increase the use and applicability of mandatory minimum sentences. Which of the following best describes this practice?

Common-law rules for criminal prosecutions have been enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Which of the following is NOT a principle found in the Charter?

Which level of government is responsible for the operation of the Parole Board of Canada?

Compare and contrast the crime control model with the due process model as examples of models of criminal justice administration.