SOC 1500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Exculpatory Evidence, Sentenced, Recognizance

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1500
• Professor: Graham Brown

Document Summary

Prosecutes criminal cases and proves beyond a reasonable doubt that accused is guilty. Goal is not to win cases, but to present evidence. Crown power and discretion: crown decides which charges are actually going to be heard in court. Police discretion: gatekeepers to cjs, police could decide that person is released on a promise to appear, police could decide that person needs to be detained. Charges are not laid in many cases: Suspect was under the age of 12. Reliability and admissibility of evidence: admissibility will the court actually accept the evidence, was the evidence collected illegally by police. Expense too much for severity of crime. The release by a judge of a person who has been charged with a criminal offence pending a court appearance. Show cause: crown must demonstrate that the detention of the accused until their trial is necessary. Reverse onus accused must justify their release. Recognizance: forfeit money if they fail to appear in court.