NCJ Number
132993
Date Published
1991
Length
283 pages
Annotation
The role, selection, training, and income of justices of the peace in Canada are examined, based on a review of printed materials and on surveys, interviews, observations conducted in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec during 1990.
Abstract
Results showed that justices of the peace are accountable to many groups and are expected to accomplish the conflicting goals of being available and inexpensive, being independent judicial officers, and being under the control of the judicial officers who would carry out their functions if they did not exist. In addition, justices are often poorly paid, given inadequate offices, and viewed with little respect by others in the criminal justice system. Moreover, they often view their training as inadequate. Nevertheless, most justices carry out their work without serious difficulty or scandal, probably due more to their personal characteristics and the work they do than to the structure in which they work. Furthermore, about two-thirds of the justices would like to do more work as justices, and most reported being satisfied with their jobs. Major legislative changes would be required if their functions were to change significantly. Tables, footnotes, and appended survey instrument