First Nations Court opens in North Vancouver

from the article by Todd Coyne in the North Shore Outlook:

The judge is out of her usual judging clothes and the court sheriff wears no gun.

It’s not immediately apparent — not at first — if these are just oversights, but when Judge Joanne Challenger turns from the convicted man to the packed public gallery and asks for any suggestions on sentencing and the hands go up, it becomes clear: First Nations Court is different.

May 16, 2012    Minority , Indigenous , Region: North America and Caribbean , Policy , Guideline , Country:USA , Theory

The three different levels of Restorative Justice

From the article in the Sentinel:

Level One is for minor offences or non-criminal incidents like anti-social behaviour, which can be dealt with immediately by the officer at the scene.

All Staffordshire officers are being trained in this area.

May 15, 2012    Police , Victim , Diversion , Other , Region: Europe , Prison , Country:England&Wales

Angel Ruelas pleads guilty to murder of Pacific Grove teen

from the story by Virginia Hennessey for the Mercury News:

The brother of murder victim Kristopher Eric Olinger and the man who unexpectedly admitted killing the Monterey High School student hope to find some peace as part of the "restorative justice" program.

Angel Ruelas' plea Tuesday was a stunning development that came nearly 15 years after Olinger's horrific murder, six years after the defendant's arrest and moments before a pool of prospective jurors were brought into the courtroom for trial.

May 14, 2012    Policy , Case:Homicide , Region: North America and Caribbean , Country:USA

Who are you? Karen Lang

from Alicia Hanson's article on abc.net.au:

"Imagine you are shopping at Garden City - you are trying to find an appropriate jumper for your daughter. It has to have a high neck. Something that will compliment her blonde hair and fair skin. You know she would want to look her best. Finally you find a soft mauve high neck jumper, you know it will look beautiful on her. You clutch your purchase and contain yourself till you reach your car - where you break into sobs. The jumper is for your daughter to wear in the casket - there will be a viewing and the high neck is to cover her wounds. You will never shop at Garden City again without thinking of her. Imagine." - Karen Lang

May 11, 2012    Other , Case:Violence , Victim , Prison , Case:Homicide

A chance to heal unholy wounds

from Bronwyn Pike's article in the National Times:

For many years, religious organisations have grappled with the need to improve the ways they deal with abusive behaviour by their own clergy. In my previous role as director of social justice in the Uniting Church during the 1990s, I worked with my colleagues to develop sexual abuse complaints procedures. In that task I gained an appreciation of just how challenging and complex this issue can be.

May 10, 2012    Region: Pacific , Biblical , Country:Australia , Community , Religion , Case:Sexual , Policy