Topic #1
Some argue that the current Canadian criminal justice system ignores many of the needs of
victims. Identify some of the services currently available for victims of crime. Drawing on your
course texts and using one or two news articles that discuss the role (or lack thereof) of victims
in the Canadian CJS, discuss victimology and victims’ rights. At the same time, you should
consider the need to balance victims’ rights with those of the accused. Should the Criminal
Justice System pay greater attention to the rights of crime victims? Are the existing victims’
services programs working, and if so, should they be expanded, and how? What other steps
could the criminal justice system take to make victims feel that they have been treated more
fairly, and make them more likely to report their victimization and participate more willingly in the
justice process? Your response might consider the roles of sentencing, plea bargains and
restorative justice in meeting the needs of victims. Your response must focus on the Canadian
criminal justice system.
Topic #2
Although it is actually quite rare, yet usually newsworthy, within the Canadian criminal justice
system there are examples of how criminal justice personnel abuse the power and authority that
come with their positions. Drawing on your course texts and using one or two newspaper
articles, select two different criminal justice roles (e.g., police, lawyers, judges, corrections
officers among others) and discuss the mechanisms in place to prevent abuses of power. What
systems of complaint and accountability are in place? How effective are they? What are some of
the consequences to individuals when authority figures abuse their powers? Your response
must focus on the Canadian criminal justice system.

Topic #3
In Chapter 4 of Canadian Criminal Justice: A Primer, Griffiths describes modern police work and
the common misconceptions of police work. Drawing on your course texts and using one or two
newspaper articles, discuss the following questions. How do the ‘truths’ about police work in
modern society compare with the common misconceptions? Were you surprised by any of the
“truths” about police work in modern society? Where do the common misconceptions come
from? How might these misconceptions affect the ability of police forces to retain police officers?
How do the misconceptions affect public expectations for the police? How do you suggest the
public be informed about the role of the police in “reality” so as to prevent the development of
unmet expectations? Your response must focus on the Canadian criminal justice system.
Paper Requirements
Regardless of which topic you select (see above for choices), your paper must include:
? the use of course materials (requires appropriate citation – do not cite lecture unless
materials are not available in readings);
? the use of a minimum of two outside academic journal articles (see Including
Academic Sources below for information that will assist you in determining if a source is
an academic source). Note: There are no restrictions on the publication dates for your
Spring 2017