A young offender is someone between the ages of 12 and 17 who commits an offence under federal law, such as the Criminal Code or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Rather than being treated as an adult, young offenders cases are processed under a special law called the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)and are now referred to as “young persons” under that Act. Although a young person can still face serious penalties for certain offences, they are not sent to adult prisons and there is generally a greater emphasis on rehabilitation.
How is a young person treated differently?
A young person is treated differently from an adult in at least three specific ways. First, a young person is given some extra legal rights. In addition to the normal right to consult a lawyer when stopped by police, young persons also have the right to speak with their parents or guardians, and the right not to be publicly identified.
Second, a young person’s trial takes place in a different court. Whereas adult trials take place in the Superior Court of Justice, or in the Ontario Court of Justice, young person trials take place in Youth Justice Court. The trial is often held in private and the details of the case are confidential.
Third, the penalties for young persons are different, often with more options and more flexibility. In the first place, the young person is often dealt with outside of the court, through Extrajudicial Measures. Examples include warnings from police, referrals to community programs and extrajudicial sanctions. See 782 Extrajudicial Measures and Sanctions for more information.
As well, the judge could:
- place the young person under the supervision of their parents,
- order the young person to be at home by a certain time each night,
- order the young person to perform community service, or to pay a fine,
- order Intensive Support and Supervision, whichprovides closer monitoring and more support than a probation order to assist the young person in changing his or her behaviour, or
- order Attendance which requires the young person to attend a program at specified times and on conditions set by the judge.
A young offender is a person between the ages of 12 and 17 who has been accused of a crime. All youth offence cases are governed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Both the procedures and provisions under this act are different compared to the law applicable when an adult has been accused of a crime. This is the reason why you need specialized Young Offender Lawyer Mississauga in case you, your child or another family member under the 18 has been charged with a criminal offence. On our team, you will find criminal attorneys with extensive experience in the litigation of youth offence cases. We have worked with young people of various ages charged with different types of offences. This has helped us immensely with sharpening our professional skills in this field and with identifying the best approach towards adolescents who have got into trouble. Our success rate gives us confidence that we can handle even the most specific and complicated cases.
Over the years, we have become experts in the provisions and procedures of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. It is designed to hold young people accountable for their actions, but it is also intended to help them overcome behavioural and other personal problems that they may have and get successfully integrated back into society. Great efforts are made towards achieving this goal. There are various resources and programs available to help adolescents who have been charged under the Act. The job of Young Offender Attorney in Mississauga is to make careful preparation and use all professional instruments available to achieve the best outcome for the young person who has been accused of a crime and to help them go on with their life.
All of our clients receive brilliant legal representation at all stages of the legal process from the bail hearing to the trial. The important thing is to let us get started as soon as possible. We are always available to provide legal advice. At this stage, the lawyer who works with you will help you to get a clear idea of what lies ahead and what your options are. The preparation for the process itself involves detailed studying of the case and of the circumstances that surround it. The analysis will enable your counselor to develop the most effective strategy for your legal defense in the court of law.
We recognize that each of our clients has unique needs. That is why your counselor and all of the other specialists involved in your case will provide the personal attention that you require. Your Young Offender Lawyer in Mississauga will always be available to answer your questions, explain different specifics to you and give you courage. Expect to receive the best defence based on a meticulously developed and implemented strategy. Your attorney will do everything within their power to achieve the best result for you. It is our firm belief that with skills, hard work and perseverance anything can be achieved.