Administration of Justice Offences (AOJOs)

Administration of Justice Offences (AOJOs)

Administration of Justice Offences (AOJOs) - Text version

Administration of Justice Offences (AOJOs)

This infographic presents data collected via the 2017 National Justice Survey (NJS; N=2,027) and 2017 NJS focus groups which explored administration of justice offences (AOJOs)Footnote 1.

Focus group respondents were surprised and concerned that so many cases before the courts are AOJOs.

75% say that criminal justice system professionals should consider personal circumstances in responding to breaches of conditions.

Circumstances

Top three circumstances that should guide decisions on how to respond to breaches of conditions:

  • Practical issues or unforeseen issues, such as work schedules and lack of transportation (81%).
  • Intentional disrespect of the order (79%).
  • Addictions, mental health or cognitive functioning issues (79%).

Focus groups respondents thought conditions of release should be accompanied by supportsFootnote 2 so they are not “set up to fail”, especially vulnerable and marginalized persons.

Many focus group and survey respondents expressed interest in seeing a “laddered” approach to dealing with AOJOs, whereby the response becomes increasingly more serious the more times a person breaches his or her conditions.