Course Description
This course explores the legal intricacies of addressing systemic racism in sentencing Black offenders. It delves into the necessity of establishing a connection between systemic racism and an offender’s background, without requiring a strict causal link. Through leading cases, it presents judicial perspectives on mitigating moral culpability, balancing proportionality with public safety, and how appellate decisions shape the interpretation and application of social context evidence. Topics include evidentiary thresholds, the relationship between sentencing ranges and systemic racism, and guidance on crafting equitable and legally sound sentences.
The content of this course was last updated in March 2025.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Justice Canada.
