Youth+and+the+Law

__ YOUTH AND THE LAW __ **Youth Criminal Justice Act (2000) replaced the Young Offenders Act (1984).

This act distinguishes between violent / non-violent crimes, and hands out harsher penalties to violent offenders while focusing on rehabilitation for most youth.

__RIGHTS OF YOUNG OFFENDERS__

12-17 have the same rights as adults under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

__SPECIAL RIGHTS__ - have the right to a parent or guardian present when they are questioned. - most young offenders cannot be named in a case, along with any other person that may identify them. ** - Police records are kept confidential and are destroyed when the youth reaches 18 years of age. Exceptions are for those 14 or older who commit violent crimes. - 14 years or older can be moved to adult court.

**__PUNISHMENTS__

A sentence in youth court is called a DISPOSITION**


 * The are a number of options when sentencing a young offfender: **

Absolute Discharge Conditional Sentence Custody Probation Fine Community Service / Pay for the cost of the crime