Canada
Canadian court upholds Native sentencing circle


Newfoundland's highest court has upheld a sentence handed down by a traditional Native sentencing circle.

In 2003, an Innu sentencing circle sentenced Jerome Jack to two years of house arrest for the sexual assault of a woman. The victim participated in the sentencing circle after being pressured by her family.

Government prosecutors said the sentence was too light. But the Newfoundland Court of Appeal said it was just because Jack, 43, has turned his life around.

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Aboriginal sentencing circle ruling upheld (CBC 12/16)