accused
to be charged with an alleged criminal offence
adult
a person aged 18 years or over
arbitration
a method of resolving disputes whereby an impartial third party decides on a settlement arrangement that is then binding on the parties to the dispute
capacity
the ability of a person to do something
capital
punishment the practice of putting an offender to death as punishment for a crime
ceasefire
a temporary or permanent suspension of fighting
charge
a formal allegation that a person has committed an offence
charter
an official document describing the goals and principles of an organisation
civil law
deals with non-criminal matters involving disputes between individuals and organisations
codified
laws that have been collected and organised, usually in written form
colonised
a country or region whose government has been replaced by one from another country
conciliation
similar to mediation except the conciliator can suggest possible solutions
contract
a legally binding agreement
criminal law
law involving cases where the parliament has declared some action to be illegal
customary law
comprehensive systems of governance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, including ownership and custodianship, caring for Country/Place responsibilities, kinship, ceremonial duties, marriage and childcare, as well as sanctions and dispute resolution processes
democratic
supporting democracy, or the system of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system
evidence
information presented that helps a court reach a decision in a case
good behaviour bond
a type of punishment whereby the offender agrees to display good behaviour for a set time or they will forfeit a sum of money and be sentenced for the original offence as well as any new offences of which they may be found guilty
guarantor
a person who agrees to pay another person's debt if they are unable or unwilling to pay themselves
mediation
when a third party helps those involved in a dispute to negotiate a solution acceptable to both sides
minor
a person under 18 years of age
oath
a promise (in the legal system, a promise to tell the truth as a witness)
victim
a person who is injured or killed by another
witness
a person who gives evidence in court
actus reus
(guilty act): main features
the act, or omission, actually occurred
it was done by the accused
it was voluntary; not committed under force.
mens rea
(guilty mind): a person must have intended to commit the crime. It can take several forms:
intending to commit a crime (such as robbing a bank)
being reckless (such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol)
being negligent (such as failing to give someone first aid)
What is the age of criminal responsibility in Australia
In Australia children as young as 10 can be charged with a criminal offence.
Capital punishment
An offender is put to death for comitting a crime
Good Behaviour bonds
The offender agrees to display to display good behaviour for a set time they will be released/ get a reduced sentence
Community service
The offender must to unpaid community work (e
Fines
Payment of money for breaking the law
Weekend detention
A person must spend the weekend in jail but is allowed to go home during the week
Bond
The offender agrees to display good behaviour for a set time or they will forfeit a sum of money and be sentenced for the original fine as well as the new one
Imprisonment
The offender must spend time in jail
Capital punishment
When the offender is sentenced to death
Civil law
deals with non-criminal matters invlving disputes between individuals and organisations
Damages
money paid to the wronged party as compensation
Contract
a legally binding agreement
Guarantor
a person who agrees to pay another persons debt if they are unable or unwilling to pay themselves
Negligence
the failure to exercise proper care, which could result in another person being injured or sufferieng a risk
How do cases arise in Criminal law?
Deals with offences that the parliament has deemed illegal
How do cases arise in Civil law?
Non criminal matters (disputes between individuals or organistations)
Common punishments in Civil Law
Damages (money paid as compensation)
Common punishments in Criminal Law
Fines, community service, weekend detention, bond, imprisonment, capital punishment
Actors involved in a Civil Law case
Paintiff, Respondent, solicitors, barristers, judge
Actors involved in a Criminal Law case
Accused, prosecutor, defence solicitor, barrister, informant (usually police officer present), judge, jury(in some cases)
Contract
A legally binding agreement
When can a minor legally enter a contract
Purchase essential goods and services necessary to support the young person, e.g. rent a flat
When CANT a minor legally enter a contract
Goods and services that are not necessary, e.g. luxury goods (jewellery, stereo equiptment, etc.)
Precedent for modern law of negligence
Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932)
Offender
a person who commits an illegal act
Plaintiff
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Defendant
an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
Employees
an employer must provide a safe workplace. Employees who are injured at work due to the employer’s negligence can sue their employer.
Customers
businesses may be found negligent if their goods and services cause harm. For example, restaurants must serve safe food.
Remedies
The seriousness of the negligent act is a deciding factor in how much money will be awarded as compensation in a civil trial.
Joint criminal enterprise
If you are present as part of a group and a crime is committed by members of that group, you risk being charged with that crime, even if you did not play any active role in the commission of the offence present when the crime was committed, knew what was going on, and were in some sort of agreement with other members of the group to commit the crime.
Social Media
A trend has emerged whereby people video or livestream themselves doing criminal activities.
What rights does the Australian Constitution guarantee?
The Australian constitution guarantees the following rights: Right to vote (Section 41), Protection against acquisition of property on unjust terms (Section 51 (xxxi)), Right to a trial by jury (Section 80), Freedom of religion (Section 116) Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of State of residency (Section 117).
What is the Australian Human Rights Commussion?
The Australian Human Rights Commission investigates infringements of anti-discrimination legislation,
Examples of anti-discrimination legislation
EXAMPLES Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cwth) Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cwth) Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwth) Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cwth) Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cwth). Discrimination can be direct or indirect.
Basic Human Rights
Inherent value of each person
Principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect
Fair treatment
Ability to make genuine choices
When was the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child written?
1989
When was the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Ratified by Australia?
Ratified by Australia in 1990
How does the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protect children?
protect children through: Protection from discrimination based on family background
Courts and welfare agencies must consider their interests
Right to express their opinions freely
Right to inform others of their ideas
Right to freedom of thought, morals/conscience and religion (to be respected by governments)
Customary law:
guidelines for behaviour that have been developed by aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples, which are passed on through oral tradition
Dreaming:
the dreaming is the time when the Earth took on its present form, and cycles of life and nature began. It is believed that customary law originated in the Dreaming.
Dreaming stories about customary law?
elders passed on customary laws by telling dreaming stories, which provide guidance about how to behave
Dispute resolution:
resolved by elders, who would want to meet to discuss the matter and agree to a solution or consequences.
Common punishments in customary law?
Common punishments:
Less serious offences: shaming and public ridicule
More serious offences: exile or spearing
Circle Sentencing:
A scheme designed to avoid imprisoning Aboriginal offenders, whereby a circle of people - including Aboriginal Elders, the victim, the offender, the offender’s lawyer, the prosecutor or police and a magistrate - will sit together to attempt to decide an appropriate sentence.
who is included in a circle sentencing hearing?
Aboriginal Elders, the victim, the offender, the offender’s lawyer, the prosecutor or police and a magistrate
Steps in a circle sentencing hearing
Steps:
The offender must first plead (or have been found) guilty to be eligible.
The offenders crime and background are considered
Elders decide on a proposed sentence (eg good behaviour bond with conditions).
A magistrate must approve this sentence.
Outline the way in which the judge incorporated customary law into the sentence imposed on Mr Walker
The judge incorporated customary law on Mr Walker by imposing a punishment native to Indigenous law. He described in full how the punishment would be carried out, and sent officers to witness the undertaking of this punishment. Should this punishment have failed, he would be made to return to court and have his sentence reviewed. It also linked back to the significance of familial connections within indigenous culture and to several of its core values.
Alternatives to going to court: Civil disputes
Mediation
Conciliation
Arbitration
Alternatives to going to court: Criminal matters
Warnings
Formal cautions
Community conferencing
Circle sentencing
Restorative justice
enables all parties to express how they have been affected and what is required for them to be able to move on.
Warnings
A senior police officer or member of the community may …… a minor who commits an offence, depending on seriousness of the offence, whether violence was involved, the harm caused to the victim, the nature of prior offences and the number of previous offences.
Formal caution
If a minor commits a crime, police may take the child’s name but it will not become part of their criminal history.
Community conferencing
If a minor admits an offence, this process may be used. It is considered more serious than a caution, but not as severe as a court appearance.
Three parts in separation of powers
Judicary, parliament, executive government
Judiciary
The judiciary is the branch of government which administers justice according to law
Courts: interpret laws
Follow strict rules of evidence and procedure to settle disputes
Must follow legislation
Power to create new comon law throughdecisions (an act of precedent)
Most open to the public
Parliament
Governmental body
Politicians: Make laws
Parliament: main law-making institution
Power to create or change legistative law (binding in all courts)
Responds to pressures (lobbying, petitions, demonstrations, constituents)
Exceutive government
Police: enforce laws
Prevent and investigate crimes
Protect life and property and maintain peace and order
Assist in prosecution
Rules outline police powers