1. Friday May 9 th, 2014

2.  Review from yesterday  Juvenile Delinquent Act  Young Offenders Act  Youth Criminal Justice Act  I.S.U.  Choose topics  Work on Thesis Statement  Research list  Where are you going to look, what sources will you use?  Starting next week...

3.  1997 case of 14 year old Reena Virk  Beaten by group of teen girls and then killed  Made the news  Many members of society believe that crime by youth is increasing.  There is a lot of controversy about how Canadian Law deals with young people who commit criminal acts

4.  Serious crimes (murder/aggravated sexual assault) represent small fraction of youth crime.  Critics argue that it is society’s fear of young people that has contributed to the idea that violent crime is on the rise.  Between 1984-1991 youth crime rose, peaking in 1991. Why?  Why do you think adolescents break the law?

5.  Youth who were abused or neglected as children tend to be prone to violent behaviour  Spousal abuse or high levels of conflict between parental figures  Drug abuse/alcohol, or involvement in criminal activity by parental figures have negative impact  Youth who leave home and live on streets are more inclined to break the law.

6.  Children between 7 and 16 who committed crimes or were considered unmanageable or sexually immoral  Juvenile Delinquent Act 1908-1928  Who was classified as Delinquent?  Antisocial behaviour  Run away from home  Truancy  Sexually immoral  Consequence: training schools  Custody facilities that provided discipline and instruction to juvenile offenders

7.  Youth were not treated as criminals, but instead viewed as children needing proper upbringing. The main goal of the J.D.A. was welfare of the child.  By 1970’s Canadians were becoming critical of J.D.A.  Who had the “best interests” of the child?  Finally, the Act failed to recognize legal rights of youth, which became more important to Canadians in 1982.

8.  1984—shifted youth justice system from a welfare approach to a criminal approach.  7 years of age to 18 th birthday.  Offenders were held accountable for their crimes, but at a lower level of accountability.  Recognized the legal rights of young people and additional rights for youth because of their age and vulnerability.  Maximum sentence was 3 years  Due to demands from public, the maximum sentence for murder eventually increased from 3 to 10 years.

9.  Due to the continuous controversy and demands made by the public the Young Offenders Act was replaced by the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003.  According to the Act—it’s main purpose is the long-term protection of society.  Meaningful punishment  Community involvement

10.  Presumptive Offences: murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, and third serious violent crimes  Judges in Youth court are now able to impose adult sentences for these offences. Identity for these situations is made public. (After sentencing)  Incapacity of children: the legal presumption that a child under 12 years cannot form the necessary mens rea to be convicted of a crime.  Children can be removed from parent’s home and sent for treatment.

11.  What was the purpose of the Juvenile Delinquent Act?  Why was it criticized during the 1960-70’s?  What was the significance of raising the minimum age from 7 to 12 in the Young Offenders Act?  What is the main purpose of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?  List four changes introduced by this act.  What is the assumption called when the law assumes children under 12 years of age are not criminally responsible for their actions?

12.  ISU—due Monday  Have ISU topic chosen and ready to inform Ms. Bell  Have working thesis statement  Have Research List complete by Monday.  Youth & Crime  Complete and Submit Survey from May 8 th  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YZL65GC  Read page 315-318 (white portion only)  Answer 4 questions at bottom of page 318. DUE MONDAY for marks!  QUIZ May 9th:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N2CR2B3

13.  Welfare of the child  Because of 1982—Charter of Rights and Freedoms, increase in crime, repeat offenders, need for accountability  Under the age of 12, the government has determined that children are unable to understand the full consequence of crime  Main purpose of YCJA: long term protection of society.  1. matched crime to punishment  2. Police required to consider other methods of dealing with minor offences  3. Makes provisions for family, victim, youth workers etc  4. addressing and considering circumstances underlying behaviour.  5. Incapacity of Children