|
 |
A Crime Victim's Guide to the Criminal Justice System
Introduction
Both the federal government and provincial governments have powers related to criminal law. The federal government is responsible for making criminal laws that apply across the country and setting the procedure for criminal courts. This ensures fair
and consistent treatment of criminal matters across the country. The provinces and territories are primarily responsible for enforcing the law, prosecuting offences, administering justice in general within their own jurisdictions and providing services
and assistance to victims of crime.
Most of our criminal law is found in the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code lists criminal offences and also sets out the procedures for a criminal case, from the laying of the charge to sentencing and appeals. Legislation concerning victims of crime can
also be found in other federal, provincial and territorial statutes. Both federal laws and provincial and territorial laws address the concerns of victims of crime such as:
-
entitlement to information,
-
services and assistance, and
-
a victim's role in criminal proceedings.
For example, the federal Minister of Justice is responsible for enacting laws, notably the Criminal Code, including provisions intended to help victims of crime participate in the criminal justice system. The Solicitor General of Canada is
responsible for administering the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). This Act includes provisions that specify what information crime victims can have access to about federally incarcerated offenders. And at the provincial and
territorial level, there are various laws governing matters such as victim services and compensation to crime victims.
Previous | Table of Contents | Next
|
