Youth Matters

The Youth Criminal Justice Act mandates the particular procedures that must be followed when dealing with young persons in the criminal justice system. These procedures are often very different than the regime that is followed for adults.

It is essential that if you are a young person charged with an offence that you retain counsel that is experienced with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act effect sentencing, release on bail, and even how long records can be kept. If the provisions are not properly argued in court you could end up with a sentence or disposition far greater than what it should be.

As an example of the differences between the adult and youth system you need look no farther than the principles of sentencing. In the adult system deterrence is a specific factor that must be considered by the judge when determining an appropriate sentence. Both specific and general deterrence must be considered. Under the youth act deterrence is not a factor that can be considered the judge must look at rehabilitation and reintegration of the young person in order to find meaningful consequences.

In fact the Youth Criminal Justice Act only allows the judge to consider provisions of the criminal code that are not in conflict with the principles of the youth act.