Psychology And The Law: Chapter 9

Front 1

Supreme Court of Canada

Back 1

Created in 1875, the Supreme Court of Canada consists of eight judges plus the chief justice, who are all appointed by the federal government. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in Canada, and lower Canadian courts are bound by its rulings. The Supreme Court also provides guidance to the federal government on law-related matters, such as the interpretation of the Canadian Constitution.

Front 2

long-term offender

Back 2

a label attached to offenders who are proven to be a high risk for reoffending

Front 3

specific deterrence

Back 3

sentencing in order to reduce the probability that an offender will reoffend in the future

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general deterrence

Back 4

sentencing in order to reduce the probability that members of the general public will offend in the future

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reparations

Back 5

a sentence where the offender has to make a monetary payment to the victim or the community

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fundamental principle of sentencing

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the belief that sentences should be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender

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probation

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the defendant is released into the community with certain restrictions on his or her behaviour

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restitution

Back 8

a payment made by an offender to the victim to cover expenses resulting from a crime. see reparations.

Front 9

fine

Back 9

a sentence where the offender has to make a monetary payment to the courts

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community service

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a sentence that involves the offender performing a duty in the community, often as a way of paying off a fine

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conditional sentence

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a sentence served in the community. The offender must follow a set of rules for a specific period of time. If the rules are broken, he or she may have to serve the remainder of the sentence in prison.

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imprisonment

Back 12

a sentence served in prison

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dangerous offender

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a label attached to offenders who are proven to constitute a significant danger to others

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sentencing disparity

Back 14

variations in sentencing severity for similar crimes committed under similar circumstances

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unwarranted sentencing disparity

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variations in sentencing severity for similar crimes committed under similar circumstances that result from reliance by the judge on legally irrelevant factors

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systematic disparity

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consistent disagreement among judges about sentencing decisions due to factors such as how lenient judges think sentences should be

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unsystematic disparity

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inconsistent disagreement among judges about sentencing decisions due to factors such as the judge's mood

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sentencing guidelines

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guidelines that are intended to reduce the degree of discretion that judges have when handing down sentences

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need principle

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principle that correctional interventions should target known criminogenic needs (factors that contribute to reoffending)

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risk principle

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principle that correctional interventions should target offenders who are at high risk to reoffend

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responsivity principle

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principle that correctional interventions should match the general learning style and the particular characteristics of offenders

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parole

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the conditional release of offenders from prison into the community before their sentence term is complete

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national parole board

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the organization in Canada responsible for making parole decisions

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temporary absence

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a form of parole that allows the offender to enter the community on a temporary basis (e.g., for the purpose of attending correctional programs)

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day parole

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a form of parole that allows the offender to enter the community for up to one day (e.g., for the purpose of holding down a job)

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full parole

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a form of parole that allows the offender to serve the remainder of his or her sentences under supervision in the community

Front 27

statutory release

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The release of offenders from prison after they have served two-thirds of their sentence. Most federal inmates must be statutory released (except offenders serving life)