Answer to Question #174962 in Law for Darui

Question

Jamie is 15 years old and has been accused of committing a non-violent crime. She has been charged with Break & Enter. She has never been charged with a crime before. Since she didn't pay attention in Mrs. Price's law class, Jamie has asked you to explain what she can expect under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Explain to Jamie what may happen to her as she proceeds through the court system as a Young Offender. (based on Canadian law)

Answer 1

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) is a law that is in charge of Canada’s youth justice system, which applies to the young people who are reported to have committed a crime offence, who are at least 12 but above 18 years old. Jamie should know that, the YCJA in Canada says that it is important to keep young people out of jail mainly if the felony is not that serious. Also, it is the right of a youth to have and talk to a lawyer immediately. The Youth Justice Court which is for cases for the youth listens to the evidence and the judge decides if the youth is guilty or not. If guilty the judge decides on the verdict. If the youth pleads guilty, the judge gives the sentence and there is no trial but if the youth pleads not guilty the court sets a trial. There are rules applied during sentencing such as the sentence has to be similar to other youth sentences of similar cases but their names will not be published so as to protect the youth. Normally, a youth will only go to jail if they have committed a violent crime otherwise, a judge will think of many things before sending the youth to jail