In Brief: Eyewitness Evidence

OJEN In Brief resources are designed to provide high school students with an introduction to basic legal concepts. Each resource includes a short lesson plan for the teacher; a plain language description of the legal topic; and activities that provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the topic. This handout provides an […]

Constitutional Law Mock Appeal Scenario: Roy v Her Majesty the Queen

This resource, originally from the OJEN Fall 2013 Charter Challenge, examines the constitutionality of the police practice of “carding” – requesting information from individuals without cause to believe they have been involved in illegal activity. In this scenario Tyson Roy, a young black man, is convicted of possession of an illegal handgun. On appeal, Mr. […]

Constitutional Law Mock Appeal Scenario: Dufour v Canada (Attorney General)

This resource, originally from the OJEN Spring 2014 Charter Chalenge, deals with the constitutionality of physician-assisted suicide. The applicant, Tobin Dufour, has been found Not Criminally Responsible for the murder of his father, and is in custody in a mental health facility. Overwhelmed by guilt, Mr. Dufour seeks doctor assistance in terminating his own life, […]

In Brief: Roles in the Criminal Justice System

This handout provides an overview of the various roles involved in the criminal justice system, including Crown attorney, criminal defence counsel, duty counsel, court clerk, court artist, court reporter, surety and trial coordinator, among others.

Top Five 2014

Each year at OJEN’s Toronto Summer Law Institute, a judge from the Court of Appeal for Ontario identifies five cases that are of significance in the educational setting. This summary, based on these comments and observations, is appropriate for discussion and debate in the classroom setting. These summaries of important legal cases were presented by […]

In Brief: Mens Rea / Actus Reus

OJEN In Brief resources are designed to provide high school students with an introduction to basic legal concepts. Each resource includes a short lesson plan for the teacher; a 1-4 page plain language description of the legal topic; and activities that provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the topic. Generally speaking, […]

Cases That Have Changed Society

Many cases are started by individuals or groups to respond to a particular event or to change a situation. The outcomes of these cases will often lead to changes in areas of the law which impact all Canadians. These short summaries are some of the decisions that have changed Canadian society in the last 25 […]

In Brief: Restorative Justice in the Criminal Context

Restorative justice is based on the principle that criminal behaviour harms not only the victim(s) of crime, but also the community and the wrongdoer(s) as well. Restorative justice responds to crime by addressing the harm caused to victims, holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions, and restoring relationships with the community. From a restorative justice perspective, […]

Justice and the Media

This OJEN resource has been developed to provide a foundation for students’ understanding of the relationship between the media and the justice system and to develop critical thinking skills to consider issues of accessibility to the courts and confidence in media reporting. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General, it includes four […]

Values of the Justice System – Grade 10 Civics Curriculum Resource

The resource was developed in 2005 by a team of teachers, and is based on discussions with Ontario’s then Chief Justices who identified key values underlying our justice system. The material is intended to assist in stimulating discussion, debate, criticism, study and analysis of principles underlying our legal system, recognizing that the teacher is entitled to use […]