Thursday, October 17. 2013

Today's schedule is D-AG-C-B-A

D Block Law 12 - Today I'll have start by finishing yesterday's work (questions 1-5 on page 236 along with defining “colour of right” and “false pretenses”). After, we'll talk about: firearms (the Firearms Act along with non-restricted, restricted and prohibited weapons); street racing; prostitution (soliciting, procuring, and living off the avails of) and obscenity.

What is obscene? We'll look at the legal definition of "obscenity" (Criminal Code section163 subsection 8 and the community standards of tolerance test) so that we can understand the difference between the subjective and objective beliefs of obscenity. Immoral acts are distinguished from crimes on the basis of the social harm they cause. Acts that are believed to be extremely harmful to the general public are usually outlawed, whereas acts that only the harm the actor themselves are more likely to be tolerated. Acts that are illegal because they are viewed as a threat to morality are called public order crimes. If there's time, for a different case of obscenity we'll look at "Sniffy the Rat" and artist Rick Gibson. To either giggle or be horrified check out the CBC story here. Lastly I'll have you work on questions 1-5 on page 240 of the All About Law text.

C Block Criminology 12 - Today we will continue our look at property crime and theft. We'll continue our focus on shoplifting and you'll need to work the following:

You work for the Retail Council of Canada and have been hired to create a poster campaign about shoplifting. The poster campaign has two purposes:

1. To help employees identify people who are shoplifting and
2. To explain how to reduce shoplifting in stores (target hardening and target removal strategies)

Look at figure 11.2 on page 257 in the Criminology text for help. Here are some further ideas and points.....

Spot the Shoplifter: Unfortunately, there is no typical profile of a shoplifter. Thieves come in all ages, races and from various backgrounds. However, there are some signs that should signal a red flag for retailers. While the following characteristics don't necessarily mean guilt, retailers should keep a close eye on shoppers who exhibit the following:

1. Spends more time watching the cashier or sales clerk than actually shopping.
2. Wears bulky, heavy clothing during warm weather or coats when unnecessary.
3. Walks with short or unnatural steps, which may indicate that they are concealing lifted items.
4. Takes several items into dressing room and only leaves with one item.
5. Seems nervous and possibly picks up random items with no interest.
6. Frequently enters store and never makes a purchase.
7. Enters dressing room or rest rooms with merchandise and exits with none.
8. Large group entering the store at one time, especially juveniles. A member of the group causes a disturbance to distract sales staff.

This will take the whole class to complete and will be handed in on Monday for marks. For more check out:
Preventing Retail Theft (you can't make a profit it your merchandise is free)
Using Customer Service to deter theft
Simple steps to deter retail theft
Preventing Retail Theft pdf
Shopliftingprevention.org

B Block Social Studies 10 - Today we'll work on a Rebellions cause/effect timeline.
 
Musee McCord Museum "The Aftermath of the Rebellions flash movie


A Block Law 9/10 -  Today we will talk about strict liability and absolute liability. We'll also look at due diligence, attempt, conspiracy, and the four parties to an offense. You'll need to work on questions 8-12 on page 74 of the textbook along with yesterdays work on R. v. Thornton (1990) and R. v. Sansregret (1985). After, you'll get an 11x17 sheet of paper; you'll select one criminal offense; and then you'll need to draw/identify the four parties to that offense (primary actor or perpetrator, aider, abettor, and counselor). Look in the pocket Criminal Codes to find an offence that interests you, like any of the following: Alarming the Queen CC 49; Animal Cruelty CC 446(1); Aggravated Assault CC 268; Bigamy CC 290 (1); Injuring or Endangering Cattle (cow tipping) CC 444; Kidnapping (forcible confinement) CC 279; Making Counterfit Money CC 449; Disorderly Conduct - Causing a Distrubance CC 175 (1); Extortion CC 346; Arson CC 433; or First Degree Murder CC 231. Once you've found a crime that interests you sketch out a preliminary diagram that shows the four parties to that offence...

Help with Parties to an Offense: You are a party if you
• Actually commit 21(1)(a)
• Aid – 21(1)(b)
• Abet – 21(1)(c)
• Counsel or procure (22(1) &(2))

The effect of being a party is that you are guilty of committing an offence – you can be a robber in any of the ways set out. It is not a separate offence. You criminal record will reflect that you were guilty of robbery, not abetting robbery.