It is very important to know your legal rights in Canada, they allow you to know what you are entitled to and what is right or wrong. Once you been arrested or detained by one of the 3 levels of policing (Municipal, Provincial or federal) you may be summoned to court or on bail. Bail is when the accused is released from detainment but is used to make sure they attend their court date. Here a little diagram of how our court system works thanks to “FindLaw Canada”.

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Once you get to that point trials will start. How do trials work you ask? Well,

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That concludes my blog posting!

Thanks so much everyone for reading my Teenager’s Guide to Canadian Law!

 

-Noelle

Well considering that we ended on the young offenders note last week I figured we should start that way too this week!

Anyone under the age of 18 who commits a crime are considered to be a young offender. When a young offender is being tried they are tried at a less critical level, thanks to the Juvenile Delinquents Act.

 

 

Hopefully none of you get yourselves into that situation where you are convicted for a crime. But if you are I heard that next week we will be learning about that!

Have a great weekend! 🙂

-Noelle

               Since last week’s posting I struggled to see why people would ever commit a crime and how does it work considering we are so fortunate with all of our rights.

              I found out that there is actually 2 factors that determine whether or not a crime has been committed! It’s called Actus Reus and Mens rea, latin terms what mean “Guilty act, Guilty mind”. Without both of those factors there would not be an offence.                                     Here are 11 offences that would require Actus Reus and Mens rea to be considered punishable.

1. Robbery

When something is stolen from someone through violence or threats. Could led to a lifetime of imprisonment.

2. Assault

To attack someone either physically or with threats and gestures that bring fear to the victim. This could lead to five years of imprisonment.

3. Possession of Drugs

If you are found in the possession of any form of illegal substance or prescription drugs that do not belong to you. Sentencing depends on the substance and the amount you are in possession of. Up to 7 years imprisonment.

4. Trespassing by Night

To be on someone else’s property at night without their consent. Could face six months of imprisonment and/or a fine of $2000.

5. Breaking and Entering

The act of breaking into someone’s property and committing another crime. Depending on the property could lead up to seven years to a lifetime of imprisonment.

6. Failing to Stop

Failing to stop at a stop sign could result in the lost of your driver’s license or a fine.

7. Causing a Disturbance

Swearing, yelling, being loud, singing and being drunk are all disturbances  that could disturb the peace of others. Causing a Disturbance is punishable to up to six months in jail and/or a fine of $2000.

8. Parking in a “No-Parking” Zone

Parking your car to which was not intended for you to park in will result in fines and having you car towed.

9. Dog off Leash

If you are in a public area and you dog(s) is off leash then your dog(s) will be impounded and you will have to pay fines.

10. Mischief

To harm someone else’s property. If the property values more than $500 then it will result in up to ten years by charges. If of lesser value then only two years.

11. Theft

Stealing something that belongs to someone else, without their permission. A penalty of up to ten years is possible for theft.

Hopefully none of you reading this have committed any of those crimes, or else you could be a young offender!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

-Noelle

Hey guys!

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms have a huge part in the freedom of Canadians. Watch as I try to explain it in under 2 minutes!

Well, to add on to my post yesterday, without laws our society would no longer be civilized. But then again sometimes as I watch my brother eat at the table I begin to wonder if we ever were…

Anyway, here’s a chart a made up explaining the different divisions of law!

That’s all for this week guys! Until next time..

-Noelle