Do Canadians punish repeated offenders of murder?

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Karen C

There are in Canada ways and means of keeping repeat and habitual criminals in jail.

The Criminal Code of Canada leaves room to deal with this type of person - and it need not be just murder. It is also not automatic. The Crown must apply to have a criminal declared a habitual criminal and then the Crown must win his argument. What this means is that a criminal who has been declared a habitual criminal is there at the pleasure of the courts for as long as they want to keep him there, and can turn into natural life for violent crimes such as murder. Such a person has the right to request parole but they seldom, if ever get it - it is often no more than an exercise in legal manoeuvring.

Citizens are free to take their request to keep a guy/gal like this in prison to the Crown. People with a good strong argument and proof of this person's evil lifestyle can be the reason the Crown will make the application although they can do it on their own initiative too. I think, for example, that Clifford Olson has been declared a habitual criminal and it is unlikely he will ever see the outside of a prison as a free man again though at present, he can still ask for parole. There is, however, a group working to change this provision in the law.

The defendant has the right to a lawyer to fight for him. I am personally happy that any that I remember from my days working in a law office, were won by the Crown.

Doing it this way does lessen the possibility of a Crown Prosecutor arbitrarily going after someone he just doesn't like. A one time offender with no previous record does not fit the criteria and must be sentenced according to the rules as set out in the Code. It is also a tool that can be used regardless of the crime - a bit of a shock to a few rapists I have seen in the defendant's chair.

pinkpiglet126

Yes many get life in prison. Plus we have "Dangerous Offender" status which means the person is put in jail without any chance of parole.

I hate our justice system some days. The punishments aren't nearly as harsh as they should be.

Maybe???

I agree with pinkl...
Our judges are far too soft with any criminal.
We even have a Young Offenders Act, which basically protects the offending youth and prohibits the police from naming them.
If it were up to me, I would broadcast such offenders name(s) on the radio, tv, and posterboards all through the city. Hopefully this would shame them into more appropriate conduct.

As for your question, ABSOLUTELY, any murderer, repeat or not, should get life in jail without any possibility for parole.

Jane Marple

No we don't punish them enough, not the first time and not the second time. A murder should get life in jail period, repeat offender or not. Example: Karla Homolka, our serial killer from Ontario, got 12 years for being the accomplice to the murder of several young women. She helped him kidnap, rape, torture and kill. She was up for parole after 8 years and the only reason they kept her in the full 12 years was because the population remembered her too well and they feared for her life.

Weren't you on your way to Whitehorse.

eric53

Well if he is a repeat, then he might get life in prison. In Canada that is 25 long long years and it can be life with parole eligibility after 15 years or so.

So if you are 19, the age of majority and murder someone, you can get out scott free by the time you are 34

Real Case: Someone now who murdered a family of 6 in 1983 has done his 25 years and is eligible for parole. The families are fighting his parole and have to attend every year to have their case against him heard.
Thing is, he never got any time for the rape of 2 children over a 2 week period after killing their family.

Also in Canada as this shows, Kill one or 6. You will get concurrent terms meaning serving 6 life terms all at once. Our gov't can't do math, 6 times 25 years is 25 to them.

Justin

tell your friend its not ok to murder people and yeah he might just get another 5 years. my guess....5-10 years this time

the 3rd time? 25 years

MasterPython

Yes Canada does see it's share of repeat offenders, even murderers. That's what you get for electing Liberal governments who appoint Liberal judges.

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