YOUNG OFFENDERS | TORONTO CRIMINAL LAWYERS PROTECTING FUTURE

The Canadian justice system treats young offenders with special considerations. As such, they require lawyers that understand these considerations and how they affect youths. Only an experienced youth criminal defence lawyer can stand up for the specific needs of young offenders.

While there is an intention to hold youth accountable for their charges, the greater intent is to curb or reform criminal behaviour. As a result, young offenders have their own unique rights and privileges in court. These fall under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

WHAT IS THE YOUTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT (YCJA)

The Youth Criminal Justice Act is the law governing youth justice in Canada. It applies to youth aged 12-18, who are accused of criminal offences. The sentencing is less severe than adult cases, and has more sentencing options at the discretion of the judge.

The principles of the Act include:

•  Society’s responsibility towards the developmental challenges of youth.
• Prevention of youth crime by identifying and addressing underlying causes.
• Guaranteeing youth access to special rights and freedoms outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Ensure accountability with meaningful consequences, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
• Prevent over-reliance on incarceration – reserving it only for the most serious crimes.

The overall goal of the program is to correct criminal behaviour through rehabilitation before adulthood. Where adult sentencing often seems to focus on the punishment, youth sentencing puts its focus on reformation and reintegration.

Part of this process is to ensure that the youth is held accountable for their actions in a way that ensures rehabilitation and public safety.

To this end, the Youth Criminal Justice Act provides judges with a wider range of sentencing options. The intent, it that this allows the judge to pick a sentence that will help reform the youth, while still holding them accountable. These include:

• Judicial reprimand
• Intensive support & suspension
• Attendance order
• Deferred custody and supervision

The YCJA is meant to prevent youth from getting stuck in a cycle of criminal activity. In part, this is accomplished through access to mental health care and special counselling. Additionally, youth sentencing is intended to minimize interference with their liberty.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SANCTIONS

In some cases, the Crown may allow youth charges to be resolved by Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS). The accused does not make a guilty plea, but does make an admission of responsibility. In addition, they agree to sanctions such as counselling and community service. Once they complete the sanctions, the charges are withdrawn.

The conditions for an Extrajudicial Sanction include:

• Living in an area with an EJS program.
• The police or Crown believe the program benefits you and the community.
• You are informed about the program & freely agree to participate.
• Consult a lawyer
• Willingly accept responsibility and a case could be made against you in the courts.

If you may qualify, a youth criminal defence lawyer will make an effort to have your case dealt with by an EJS.  One of the biggest benefits of this to your future is that there is no criminal record.

DO YOUNG OFFENDERS GET A CRIMINAL RECORD?

If convicted of a criminal offence, young offenders receive a Youth Justice Record. This is the youth equivalent of a criminal record. It can restrict travel and employment opportunities. Receiving a judicial reprimand or completing an EJS program does not result in a Youth Justice Record.

Are Criminal Records Erased When You Become An Adult?

This is a popular misconception. A criminal record is not erased or sealed at the age of 18. This is why it is important for your youth criminal defence lawyer to fight against conviction or for a sentencing option that doesn’t result in a Youth Justice Record.

The offence and sentence type determine the length of time the Record remains open:

Other crimes committed after receiving a Youth Justice Record result in the earlier crimes staying open longer, sometimes permanently. Convictions for crimes after 18 while the Record is open result in the Record becoming part of your permanent adult criminal record.

CAN CHILDREN UNDER 12 BE CHARGED AS YOUNG OFFENDERS?

In Ontario, children under 12 years cannot be charged with a criminal offence. They are not arrested, and do not go to court. The justification for this is that these cases are rare enough that the system can deal with them through child welfare and mental health programs.

There is some controversy over this age restriction, with many arguing it should be lower. In Canada, the age restriction was 7 years old until 1983. In the USA it is still 7. In the UK the age restriction is 12, but with the caveat that more serious crimes can be charged at the age of 10.

CAN YOUNG OFFENDERS BE TRIED AS ADULTS?

There are instances where young offenders can be sentenced as adults. However, all young offenders are tried in youth court even if the Crown intends to pursue adult sentencing. The decision of whether adult sentencing applies occurs after guilt has been determined.

The Crown must give notice of intent to apply for having a youth sentenced as an adult. This gives the youth criminal defence lawyer an opportunity to persuade the court that a youth sentence is sufficient to hold the accused accountable. If they establish this, the accused will not face adult sentencing.

What Charges Can A Young Offender Face Adult Sentencing For?

To face adult sentencing, a young offender must be 14-18 years old and accused of a violent offence. There are 4 violent offences where the Crown may request adult sentencing:

• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Manslaughter
• Sexual aggravated assault

If the sentencing occurs before the age of 18, an adult sentence is still carried out in a youth facility. The exception is if there is reason to believe this will endanger the youth or others. If they are still in the youth facility when they turn 20, they may be moved to an adult facility.

DO YOUNG OFFENDERS NEED BAIL LAWYERS?

In Ontario, the Crown needs to show cause to detain young offenders before trial. A bail lawyer serves three purposes for young offenders: obtaining bail; fighting for fair bail conditions; ensuring the accused understands and can follow bail conditions.

Bail, and even probation, conditions for young offenders can be complicated and limiting. If misunderstood, it is easy for the conditions to be broken. This can lead to a cycle of criminal charges that becomes difficult to break, as well as limiting to personal freedoms. A Toronto bail lawyer, helps to navigate these conditions.

Grounds for Detention

There are three justifiable grounds for pre-trial detention under the Young Offenders act. If the Crown can satisfy one or more of these conditions, detention may result. These include:

• Primary Grounds: Detention necessary to ensure court attendance.
• Secondary Grounds: Detention necessary to product public.
• Tertiary Grounds: Just cause that detention necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice.

Primary Grounds are the most common reason for Young Offenders in Toronto to be detained before trial. Past failures to attend court dates, criminal history, and evidence of flight are often used to justify detention for primary grounds. The nature/severity of the offence and the strength of evidence can also be used. Their behaviour, characters and community ties are a third reason to detain under Primary Grounds.

NEED A YOUTH CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER?

If you or a loved one is facing charges as a young offender, you need a criminal lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The best criminal lawyer for you is one with experience and success representing young offenders. Contact youth criminal defence lawyer, William Jaksa today, and protect your future.