Youth Trial Procedures

Question 1

Where are youth offenders tried in Canada?

Answer 1

Aged 12-15: family court

Aged 16-17: provincial court

Question 2

What similarities are shared among youth and adult offenders (in terms of trial procedures)?

Answer 2

Trials for youth offenders follow the same rules of evidence and are equally as formal as adult trials

Youth and adult offenders have access to legal aid (defense lawyers)

Question 3

What are the 4 main differences between youth and adult trial procedures?

Answer 3

1. Youth offenders do not have the right to decide in which court system they will be tried
2. No preliminary hearing is held – the youth justice system intends to deal with youth as rapidly as possible and to let them return home quickly
3. A judge decides the guilt of the accused alone (there is no jury)
4. The youth justice system assumes that youth offenders are more easily rehabilitated than adults