Bodies Flashcards
If individual or company has broken the law by committing a crime, the person or company is brought to justice.
Bodies
Individual or company have broken law by committing a crime, then the person or company is brought to justice
Police
Serve the community and the law to enforce criminal law
police:
preserve peace
prevent crime
Delegated bodies
An authority or agency given power to make and enforce laws
If laws are broken, enforced by
warnings, directing person, rehabilitation, legal proceedings
Fairness
people can participate in justice system and processes should be impartial and open
impartial : no bias
open : accountability of actions
equality
people should be treated in the same way, but if the same treatment causes disparity or disadvantage, adequate measures should be taken to allow all to engage with the justice system without disparity or disadvantage
access
all people should be able to engage with the justice system and its processes on an informed basis
formal: individuals treated the same regardless of personal characteristics
different : special measures
Powers and rights
Australians are entitled to a number of rights and freedoms
courts
federal and state courts
state courts deal with issues arising under state law
federal courts deal with issues arising under federal courts
Arrest
- Once a crime has been committed the police have the power to arrest an accused person
- The power of arrest with or without a warrant is found in the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
- Most are made without a warrant
Determine criminal case
If accused pleads not guilty then it’s the role of the courts to determine whether the accused is guilty
Individuals in an arrest
Can refuse to attend a police station unless under arrest. Must be informed of the reason for their arrest at the time of the arrest and be promptly informed of any proceedings against them
process
charged with an indictable offence first go to magistrates courts for a committal proceeding
Questioning
- if a person has been arrested and is in custody for being suspected of committing an offence, an investigating official has the power to question them within a reasonable time
- May be questioned to determine what involvement they had in the offence if any
courts role
provides specialisation and expertise in the type of case its hearing
imposing sanctions
accused pleads guilty or is found court sets out a date for hearings
both parties discuss
facts
circumstances
Court proceedings
For summary offences,
the Magistrates’ Court hears and determines the charged and the magistrate determines guilt
Court proceedings
For indictable offences,
the Magistrates’ Court determines whether there is enough evidence to a support a conviction at trial before the matter is transferred to the County or Supreme Court
The jury
independent group of people chosen at random to determine questions in a trial based of facts and evidence provided
Imprisonment of the offender
If found not guilty, accused is released immediately
● If found guilty, the court’s role is to impose a sanction
● The sanction of last resort is imprisonment -> involves removing the offender from society and placing them in jail for a period of time
Groups we will focus on who struggle with the justice system are:
First Nations people
● Young people
● Culturally and linguistically diverse people
● Disabled people
when are Jurys used
used in court and supreme courts
what does criminal jury consist of
12 jurors
over 18
randomly selected
Overrepresentation in the justice system
indigenous ppl
Comprise 3.8% of the Australian population
● However, make up 32% of the prison population
● In Victoria, 9% of the prison population is Indigenous
● Account for only 1% of Victoria’s population
● Indigenous children and young people account for about 15% of children and young people under supervision