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Difference between revisions of "Young People and the Law"
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Young People and the Law (view source)
Revision as of 22:54, 1 February 2023
, 22:54, 1 February 2023→Young people and criminal law
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Sometimes children break the law. | Sometimes children break the law. | ||
The Canadian justice system recognizes that <span class="noglossary">youth</span> crime and adult crime need to be dealt with differently. Someone | The Canadian justice system recognizes that <span class="noglossary">youth</span> crime and adult crime need to be dealt with differently. Someone age 18 or older who commits a crime is dealt with under the ''Criminal Code''. For children from 12 to 17 years old, there is a special law called the [https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-2002-c-1/latest/ ''Youth Criminal Justice Act'']. It says: | ||
* The public has the right to be protected from young people's crimes. | * The public has the right to be protected from young people's crimes. | ||
* Young people who break the law should be held responsible for their actions. They need to understand that what they did caused harm to the community. At the same time, they need help to learn how to stay out of trouble and to contribute to the community in a positive way. | * Young people who break the law should be held responsible for their actions. They need to understand that what they did caused harm to the community. At the same time, they need help to learn how to stay out of trouble and to contribute to the community in a positive way. | ||
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===What happens to <span class="noglossary">youth</span> who commit a crime === | ===What happens to <span class="noglossary">youth</span> who commit a crime === | ||
The first time a young person | The first time a young person age 12 to 17 years does something wrong, they usually do not have to go to court. The young person may get help from a local community group. | ||
But maybe it's not the first time the young person has been in trouble. Or maybe it is something more serious. Maybe the young person had a weapon such as a knife or gun. Then they will have to go to <span class="noglossary">youth</span> court. | But maybe it's not the first time the young person has been in trouble. Or maybe it is something more serious. Maybe the young person had a weapon such as a knife or gun. Then they will have to go to <span class="noglossary">youth</span> court. | ||
