Canadian Criminal Justice System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Canadian Criminal Justice System - Essay Example This paper will analyze the judicial system of Canada and the application of criminal responsibilities for rape crimes, in this country. Canadian Criminal Justice System The legal system of Canadian is based on English Common Law (old), which were brought by explorers and colonists. The law of the immigrants prevailed over the rules of the Canadian settlers, and the law of the immigrants guided the conduct of people in Canada for a long time. The judicial system is crucial in a country; it facilitates the application of justice in the society, and it helps punish the law breakers. Most aspects of the Canadian criminal justice system are unique and different from other systems in the world. However, the Canadian system of criminal justice inclines towards utilizing the due process model. The suspects’ rights are respected and protected until their guilt is proven, without doubt. This is one of the most significant tenets; therefore, a person charged with offense (criminal) is o nly proved guilty by a jury. Otherwise, a suspect of a criminal offense is treated and believed to be guilty during the process of trial, in a law court. In the event that the police are convinced that their grounds are adequate to proceed with a criminal charge against an accused person, then the accused is apprehended to answer the charges before the court (Howe & Russell, 2001). Further, the accused person is entitled to an affordable bail. In the event that the issue reaches the stage of trial, the crown attorney who is prosecuting the accused person assumes the responsibility of proving that indeed the suspect committed the offense. For instance, if it is a murder charge, the crown attorney will call the people who witnessed the accused committing the crime, and in other forms of crimes like rape or robbery, the attorney will call the victims to testify against the suspect (Howe & Russell, 2001). Depending with the strength of evidence presented by the prosecutor, the suspect m ay call on his own witnesses who would bring reasonable doubt to the case. In such an event, the jury is left with the mandate to pass judgment, with regard to the available evidence and witnesses. At this stage, the case goes to sentencing stage where the judge passes the sentence, either acquitting the accused if there is no substantive evidence, or a jail term in proportion with the nature of the criminal offence (Ehrlich, 2001). This model utilizes the adversarial system where the judge acts as an independent arbiter, and he is the one who adjudicates between the prosecutor and his witnesses and the accused and his witnesses. Apparently, the paper has disrobed the judicial system that exists in Canada, and it will shift the focus on investigating the applicability and assignment of criminal responsibility to sexual offenders. Rape is described as the act of forcibly having sexual contact with a female partner, without her consent. Sexual offences are further incorporated with ha ving sexual contact with persons who are minors. Sexual contact with minors is another serious criminal offence, which can attract heavy fines and long jail sentences. The pursuits of these cases are based on the two popular models of justice, which are employed by the Canadian law enforcement agencies, as well as the judicial system (Ehrlich, 2001). The initial model that is employed in assigning criminal responsi

Slavery and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Slavery and Religion - Essay Example On the other hand, religion refers to a collection of beliefs, and cultural systems which relate humanity to spirituality as well as to morality. In most cases, religion tends to guide people in their day-to-day lives with regards to humanity, spirituality and morality. Conversely, the two aspects, religion and slavery were a salient feature in most societies. Thus, the relationship between slavery and religion has been of major concern. They are intricately interlinked. In this regard, slavery cannot be wholly exonerated from religion. On one hand, slavery played a substantial role in the establishment and growth of slavery. On the other hand, slavery contributed to the establishment and development of various religions. Taking another dimension, religion played a palpable role in the eradication of slavery. Thus on this premises, this paper analyzes the mutual relationship religion and slavery. Much emphasis is however placed on the three most prevalent religions: Christianity, Isl am and Hinduism in correspondence to slavery. Prior to analyzing each of the major religions with regards to slavery, it is important to preview the concept of slavery before the existence of the world’s elaborate religions. Indeed, one thing that turns out clearly, is that slavery is of great antiquity. The ancient world was marred by various forms of servitude. These vary from class enslavement, collective slavery, sacerdotal slavery, individual enslavement to feudal enslavement1. In addition, various reasons accounted for slavery at various specified times in history. In this regards, slavery existed due to war, where those defeated in wars were captured and taken in as slaves. In some instances, slaves were purchased, other were given as gifts. In some communities, some people became slaves by virtue of birth, whereas some people gave themselves in as slaves as a settlement of debts accrued to them. In the ancient Greek, slave was a common phenomenon. This is evidenced fr om the records of the great Greek Philosophers Aristotle and Plato who asserted that slavery existed and was defined as the natural law of humanity2. Plato further averred that, for there to be a state of balance in the society, there must be two groups of people, the slaves, and the free. Early literary works as expressed in form of paintings and writings depicted an element of slavery which marred the ancient Greek. For instance early Poets and orators never ceased to talk ill of slavery. There works revealed the inhuman treatment to which slaves were subjected to. Most of them yearned for a revolution. They therefore advocated for freedom of slaves. In the early Roman times, slavery was palpable in the military and general life of the Romans. They extensively participated in the slave trade which was one of the lucrative ventures of the time. In most instances, they sourced their slaves form wars. However, the Roman Empire faced much resistance from slaves. The world’s ren own earliest slave revolution championed by Spartacus depicts how the vice had taken root in the Roman empire3. Slaves were equated to commodities, and never acknowledged as human beings. There was however a turn of events when the Roman people embraced Christianity a while later. They began to treat slaves with humane. Ancient China was also not immune of slavery. It has been recorded that poverty intensified slavery in China to large extents4. Due to economic hardships, many people sold themselves or their family members to rich masters. Some people would also sell other to avert the economic hardships. The Indian people of ancient time also acknowledged slavery. Apparently, slavery among eth Hindus was perpetuated by the incumbent