DISCRETION
Class 11 Feb. 13, 2018
CLASS 10
WINTER 2018
CRM1300E
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY
08a-01
, DISCRETION
Discretion
• The power of an authority to exercise his or her
judgement in a particular case instead of having to
follow specific rules (and facts).
• neoclassical school of criminology
• improving deterrence
• swift justice
• certain punishment
• proportionate to the severity of the crime
• degree of subjectivity
Winterdyk, John (2016) Chapter 5 Major Schools of Modern Thought. Canadian Criminology, 3rd ed., p.
96-120. 08a-02
, DISCRETION
Police Judges
• Enforcement of the law • Decide to eliminate certain
• Investigation of crimes pieces of evidence
• Search and seizure • Impose sentences
• Arrest suspects • Correctional officials
• Set a conditional release
Prosecutors date (e.g., parole)
• Filing charges on the basis
of evidence brought to them
by the police
• Reducing charges
• Dropping cases
• Plea bargaining
Goff, Colin (2014) An Overview of the Criminal Justice System in Canada. Chapter 1 in
Criminal Justice in Canada 6th Edition, Nelson Education, p. 1 36. 08a-03
Class 11 Feb. 13, 2018
CLASS 10
WINTER 2018
CRM1300E
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY
08a-01
, DISCRETION
Discretion
• The power of an authority to exercise his or her
judgement in a particular case instead of having to
follow specific rules (and facts).
• neoclassical school of criminology
• improving deterrence
• swift justice
• certain punishment
• proportionate to the severity of the crime
• degree of subjectivity
Winterdyk, John (2016) Chapter 5 Major Schools of Modern Thought. Canadian Criminology, 3rd ed., p.
96-120. 08a-02
, DISCRETION
Police Judges
• Enforcement of the law • Decide to eliminate certain
• Investigation of crimes pieces of evidence
• Search and seizure • Impose sentences
• Arrest suspects • Correctional officials
• Set a conditional release
Prosecutors date (e.g., parole)
• Filing charges on the basis
of evidence brought to them
by the police
• Reducing charges
• Dropping cases
• Plea bargaining
Goff, Colin (2014) An Overview of the Criminal Justice System in Canada. Chapter 1 in
Criminal Justice in Canada 6th Edition, Nelson Education, p. 1 36. 08a-03
