Accountability in the Criminal Justice System

• In what ways are criminal justice personnel and agencies held accountable for their wrongdoings?

  Criminal justice personnel and agencies may be subjected to criminal and/or civil prosecution. They may be held accountable by crime victims and offenders through civil courts. Those who have been wronged may sue to recover damages from personnel and agencies that failed their mandate to protect.
• What are examples of criminal justice personnel and agencies failing to fulfil their duties?

  Examples of criminal justice personnel and agencies failing to fulfil their duties include (but are not limited to):

  • Excessive force by police.
  • Wrongful convictions by criminal courts.
  • Failure of systems of corrects to manage the risk posed by offenders in the community who subsequently inflicted harm on victim(s).
• What is the amount of trust that Canadians need to have about the criminal justice system?

  The amount of trust needed from Canadians regarding the criminal justice system is a "moderate" level. However, there is a general lack of trust surrounding it due to the general population having little understanding about the matter.
• What do Canadians tend to believe regarding the state of crime in the country?

  Canadians tend to believe that there is more crime and higher levels of violent crime when, in fact, statistics mention it is the opposite – in decline.
• When public confidence and trust in the criminal justice system is high, what is the system considered? What is this belief?

  When public confidence and trust in the criminal justice system is high the system is considered legitimate. This leads to the belief that authorities, institutions, and social arrangements are appropriate, proper, and just.
• How does a high level of public confidence in the criminal justice system affect it?

  A high level of public confidence in the criminal justice system helps the system's specific initiatives and partnerships as there will be more support.
• What happens when the public loses confidence in the criminal justice system?

  When the public loses confidence in the criminal justice system it results in vigilantism.
• What three conditions are needed for law to serve as a deterrent?

  The three conditions that are needed for law to serve as a deterrent are:

  1. People must be aware that there are legal sanctions that will be applied if they engage in certain behaviours.
  2. There must be certainty of punishment.
  3. The sanction must be applied swiftly when a crime is committed.
• For those who are intent on committing crime, how do they perceive the criminal law and justice system?

  Those intent on committing crime, they most likely perceive the criminal law and justice system as doing little to deter them from wrongdoings and the certainty nor swiftness of any sort of punishment to occur.