Course Description
This course focuses on the role of systemic anti-Black racism in sentencing decisions and the importance of incorporating social context evidence. It explores how factors such as discrimination, poverty, and intergenerational trauma shape offenders’ circumstances and influence sentencing considerations like moral blameworthiness and rehabilitation. Through key cases such as R v Morris and R v Anderson, this course demonstrates how understanding these systemic influences helps judges craft fair and proportional sentences. By addressing these issues, judges can better balance sentencing objectives, ensuring decisions are rooted in a broader understanding of the societal factors affecting Black offenders.
The content of this course was last updated in December 2024.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Justice Canada.
