Introduction to Youth Justice (2:I) - Revision history

Nate Russell at 19:43, 27 November 2025

2025-11-27T19:43:22Z

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	Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).		Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).

	In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the ''[https://canlii.ca/t/84fj Victims of Crime Act]'', RSBC 1996, c 478. Federally, the ''[https://~~laws-lois.justice.gc~~.ca/~~eng/acts~~/~~c-23.7/page-1.html.~~ Canadian Victims Bill of Rights]'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”) guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.		In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the ''[https://canlii.ca/t/84fj Victims of Crime Act]'', RSBC 1996, c 478. Federally, the ''[https://canlii.ca/t/8tw7 Canadian Victims Bill of Rights]'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”) guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.

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Nate Russell at 19:39, 27 November 2025

2025-11-27T19:39:47Z

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	Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).		Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).

	In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the ''[https://~~www.bclaws.gov.bc~~.ca/~~civix/document/id/complete/statreg~~/~~96478_01#:~:text=2%20All%20justice%20system%20personnel,orientation%2C%20political%20belief%20or%20age.~~ Victims of Crime Act]'', RSBC 1996, c 478. Federally, the ''[https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23.7/page-1.html. Canadian Victims Bill of Rights]'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”) guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.		In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the ''[https://canlii.ca/t/84fj Victims of Crime Act]'', RSBC 1996, c 478. Federally, the ''[https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23.7/page-1.html. Canadian Victims Bill of Rights]'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”) guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.

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LSLAP at 18:55, 13 October 2025

2025-10-13T18:55:55Z

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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= ~~11 August~~ 2025}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= 16 July 2025}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

LSLAP at 16:52, 25 September 2025

2025-09-25T16:52:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 25 September 2025
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	Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).		Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).

	In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96478_01#:~:text=2%20All%20justice%20system%20personnel,orientation%2C%20political%20belief%20or%20age. ''Victims of Crime Act'', RSBC 1996, c 478]. Federally, the [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23.7/page-1.html. ''Canadian Victims Bill of Rights'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”)] guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.		In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the ''[https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96478_01#:~:text=2%20All%20justice%20system%20personnel,orientation%2C%20political%20belief%20or%20age. Victims of Crime Act]'', RSBC 1996, c 478. Federally, the ''[https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23.7/page-1.html. Canadian Victims Bill of Rights]'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”) guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.

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Nate Russell: review confirmed 2025

2025-08-28T21:17:39Z

review confirmed 2025

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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= August ~~14, 2024~~}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= 11 August 2025}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

LSLAP at 17:01, 11 August 2025

2025-08-11T17:01:31Z

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	Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:		Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:
	*Protecting the public by holding youth accountable, promoting young persons’ rehabilitation, and utilizing community crime prevention programs (s 3(1)(a));		*Protecting the public by holding youth accountable, promoting young persons’ rehabilitation, and utilizing community crime prevention programs (s 3(1)(a));
	*Separating the youth criminal justice system from the adult system, to recognize youths’ “diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability” for their actions (s. 3(1)(b));		*Separating the youth criminal justice system from the adult system, to recognize youths’ “diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability” for their actions (s 3(1)(b));
	*Promoting “fair and proportionate accountability” by taking measures against young persons which respect societal values, repair harm, account for young persons’ individual circumstances, and respect their social and cultural statuses (s 3(1)(c)); and		*Promoting “fair and proportionate accountability” by taking measures against young persons which respect societal values, repair harm, account for young persons’ individual circumstances, and respect their social and cultural statuses (s 3(1)(c)); and
	*Recognizing the unique rights of all parties involved in the youth criminal justice system, including young persons, victims, and parents (s 3(1)(d)).		*Recognizing the unique rights of all parties involved in the youth criminal justice system, including young persons, victims, and parents (s 3(1)(d)).

LSLAP at 15:52, 11 August 2025

2025-08-11T15:52:39Z

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	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

	The ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 (“''YCJA''”) was enacted on April 1, 2003 after decades of evolution in how the legal system understands young persons. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms'' (“''Charter''”), the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' (“UN''CRC''”). The ''YCJA'' aims to establish a youth criminal justice system which upholds those rights, while still performing its fundamental purpose of protecting the public.		The ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 (“''YCJA''”) was enacted on April 1, 2003, after decades of evolution in how the legal system understands young persons. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms'' (“''Charter''”), the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' (“UN''CRC''”). The ''YCJA'' aims to establish a youth criminal justice system which upholds those rights, while still performing its fundamental purpose of protecting the public.

	Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:		Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:

LSLAP at 18:32, 21 August 2024

2024-08-21T18:32:37Z

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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= August 1, ~~2023~~}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= August 14, 2024}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

LSLAP at 02:44, 14 August 2024

2024-08-14T02:44:10Z

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	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

	The ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 [“''YCJA''”] was enacted on April 1, 2003 after decades of evolution in how the legal system understands young persons. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms'' [“''Charter''”], the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' [“UN''CRC''”]. The ''YCJA'' aims to establish a youth criminal justice system which upholds those rights, while still performing its fundamental purpose of protecting the public.		The ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 (“''YCJA''”) was enacted on April 1, 2003 after decades of evolution in how the legal system understands young persons. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms'' (“''Charter''”), the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' (“UN''CRC''”). The ''YCJA'' aims to establish a youth criminal justice system which upholds those rights, while still performing its fundamental purpose of protecting the public.

	Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:		Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:
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	*Recognizing the unique rights of all parties involved in the youth criminal justice system, including young persons, victims, and parents (s 3(1)(d)).		*Recognizing the unique rights of all parties involved in the youth criminal justice system, including young persons, victims, and parents (s 3(1)(d)).

	The ''YCJA'' encourages judges to impose non-custodial sentences on young persons where it is consistent with the general principles. Custodial sentences are not prohibited under the ''YCJA'', but are meant to be imposed only after a sentencing judge has considered all other alternatives (s 39). Sentences generally include educating the offender about the impact of their crime and focusing on repairing the damage or paying back society in a constructive manner.		The ''YCJA'' encourages judges to impose non-custodial sentences on young persons where it is consistent with the general principles. Custodial sentences are not prohibited under the ''YCJA'' but are meant to be imposed only after a sentencing judge has considered all other alternatives (s 39). Sentences generally include educating the offender about the impact of their crime and focusing on repairing the damage or paying back society in a constructive manner.

	Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).		Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).

LSLAP: /* A. Recent History */

2024-08-13T19:56:48Z

A. Recent History

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 13 August 2024
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	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = youth}}

	~~== A. Recent History ==~~		The ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 [“''YCJA''”] was enacted on April 1, 2003 after decades of evolution in how the legal system understands young persons. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms'' [“''Charter''”], the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' [“UN''CRC''”]. The ''YCJA'' aims to establish a youth criminal justice system which upholds those rights, while still performing its fundamental purpose of protecting the public.
	~~As of April 1, 2003, the~~ ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'', SC 2002, c 1 [~~“YCJA”~~] ~~came into effect. The YCJA represents the culmination of nearly a century~~ of evolution in how the legal system understands young ~~offenders~~. The YCJA recognizes that youths have rights under the ''Charter'', the ''Canadian Bill of Rights'' SC 1960, c 44, and the United Nations ''Convention on the Rights of the Child'' [~~“UNCRC”~~], ~~which Canada signed and ratified in~~ the ~~early 1990s~~.

	~~The~~ ''YCJA'' ~~focuses on three key objectives to better protect~~ the public (~~''YCJA''~~, s 3):		Section 3 of the ''YCJA'' sets out the following guiding principles for the youth criminal justice system:
			*Protecting the public by holding youth accountable, promoting young persons’ rehabilitation, and utilizing community crime prevention programs (s 3(1)(a));
			*Separating the youth criminal justice system from the adult system, to recognize youths’ “diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability” for their actions (s. 3(1)(b));
			*Promoting “fair and proportionate accountability” by taking measures against young persons which respect societal values, repair harm, account for young persons’ individual circumstances, and respect their social and cultural statuses (s 3(1)(c)); and
			*Recognizing the unique rights of all parties involved in the youth criminal justice system, including young persons, victims, and parents (s 3(1)(d)).

	~~# Preventing youth~~ crime ~~by addressing underlying causes;~~		The ''YCJA'' encourages judges to impose non-custodial sentences on young persons where it is consistent with the general principles. Custodial sentences are not prohibited under the ''YCJA'', but are meant to be imposed only after a sentencing judge has considered all other alternatives (s 39). Sentences generally include educating the offender about the impact of their crime and focusing on repairing the damage or paying back society in a constructive manner.
	~~# Meaningful consequences for offences;~~ and
	~~# Increased focus~~ on ~~rehabilitation and reintegration for youth returning to~~ the ~~community~~.

	~~The~~ ''YCJA'' also ~~encourages judges to impose non-custodial sentences~~ on ~~young persons who are found guilty under~~ the ~~Act where it is consistent with~~ the ~~general principles. This does not mean that it seeks~~ to ~~prohibit custodial sentences~~, ~~but rather to ensure that custodial sentences are~~ the ~~last option~~.		Victims play a significant role in the youth criminal justice system. While victims have no formal rights per se, as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' mandates that victims be “treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy” (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)). Victims must also be kept informed on the process, have the opportunity to participate and be heard in the process, and be minimally inconvenienced by their participation in the process (s (3)(1)(d)(ii)-(iii)).

	Victims play a significant role in the process. While victims have no rights ''per se'' as they are not a party to criminal proceedings, the ''YCJA'' holds that victims will be heard and treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their privacy, and be minimally inconvenienced. Also, consequences will include educating the offender about the impact of the crime and focusing on repairing the damage or paying back society in a constructive manner. In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96478_01#:~:text=2%20All%20justice%20system%20personnel,orientation%2C%20political%20belief%20or%20age. ''Victims of Crime Act'', RSBC 1996, c 478]. ~~In 2015~~, ~~Parliament enacted~~ the ''Canadian Victims Bill of Rights'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”)~~. The Act~~ guarantees victims of crime ~~various rights~~, including the right to information about the criminal justice system~~, their rights as victims of crime,~~ and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.		In some respects, BC legislation dealing with victims of crime has already incorporated a number of these principles, particularly in the [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96478_01#:~:text=2%20All%20justice%20system%20personnel,orientation%2C%20political%20belief%20or%20age. ''Victims of Crime Act'', RSBC 1996, c 478]. Federally, the [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23.7/page-1.html. ''Canadian Victims Bill of Rights'', SC 2015, c 13, s 2 (“''CVBR''”)] guarantees various rights for victims of crime, including the right to information about the criminal justice system and their right to have their security and privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system. For more information on victims’ rights, and resources for victims of crime see '''Chapter 4: Victims'''.

	The ''YCJA''was amended by Bill C-10 (“T''he Safe Streets and Communities Act''”) on October 23, 2012. Bill C-10 added individual deterrence and denunciation of unlawful conduct as a sentencing principle to the ''YCJA''. It also sets out that youths are presumed to have diminished moral culpability or blameworthiness in comparison to adult offenders. Furthermore, Bill C-10 states that the youth justice system is intended to protect the public by holding young persons convicted of offences accountable through using proportionate measures, promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, and preventing crime by directing youths to programs that address underlying causes of their actions. Bill C-10 also sets out definitions for a “serious offence” and a “violent offence” which are broader than previous definitions given in the case law.

	The ''YCJA'' was further amended by Bill C-75, passed on June 21, 2019. On September 19, 2019, the first amendments to the ''YCJA'' came into force. Firstly, it repealed sections 64(1.1) and (1.2) of the ''YCJA'', which required the Attorney General to determine whether to seek an adult sentence in certain cases. It further required the Attorney General to advise the Youth Justice Court (bill section 376) if they decide not to make an application. Secondly, it repealed sections 75 and 110(2)(b), which required the court to decide whether to lift a ban on publishing the identity of a young person who is convicted of a violence offence (bill ss 377 and 379). The changes that came into effect on December 18, 2019 mainly decrease the number of charges for administration of justice offences (e.g., breach of conditions) and incarceration rates related to those offences when no harm to society has been done. The changes include a new assumption of the appropriateness of extrajudicial measures in certain breach of condition/failure to appear charges and an increase in the threshold for holding young offenders in custody for breach of conditions. In cases where extrajudicial measures may not be appropriate, judicial referral hearings at the bail stage or judicial reviews of youth sentences are recommended. Bill C-75 also includes changes that explicitly require imposed bail conditions to be appropriately related to the nature of the offence, the protection or safety of the public, victims, witnesses and that the offender will be reasonably able to comply with them, and that they not be a “substitute for appropriate child protection, mental health or other social measures”.

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