YCJA Flashcards
YCJA
-Passed by parliament in 2003
-12-17 year old’s
-Only allows adult sentences for over 14+ offenders committing serious crimes
-Protects privacy (judge lifts ban & adult sentence must happen for media to release youth names)
-14+ can choose to be tried by judge & jury for serious offenses
-Most youth can avoid criminal record
Before YCJA
Every youth offender was charged and went to court;
-Didn’t face consequence quickly in an untimely process
-Courts busy with cases/offenders
-Consequences didn’t always involve restitution with community & victims
Consequences for Youth Offenders
- community service
- counselling (addiction, mental health)
- criminal record
- restitution
- young offenders center
YCJA Objectives
- Prevent Crime; addressing circumstances underlining youth’s behaviors
- Rehabilitate; reintegrating youths back into society
- Meaningful Consequences; to encourage change & protect society for further offenses
- Recognize Reduced Levels of Maturity; separate from adult system
Jury Duty
-12 people must have consensus on verdict
-Must be 18+ Canadian citizens (not criminal)
-Serving in jury is duty of Canadian citizens
-Excused from jury duty if it would cause undue hardship
Justice Advocacy Groups
-Work independently from government
-Try to solve underlying reason for crime
-Provide public education about laws & justice system
-Work with offenders for reintegration to community
-Stand up for rights of accused
-Call for measures to improve fairness of justice system with accused & victims
John Howard Society
-JAG advocating for men, women, boys, & girls
Elizabeth Fry Society
-JAG advocating for women & girls
Sentencing Circles
-Committees in communities where volunteers work with young offenders
-Come from Indigenous traditions (include banishment consequences)
-Act on idea that committing a crime harms everyone in the community & that community is involved in resolution
