12 Questions
What is a factor considered in determining the consequences young offenders face?
The seriousness of the offence
Which factor can lead to more serious consequences for a young offender according to the text?
Having a history of getting into trouble
What does the Youth Criminal Justice Act aim to do?
Rehabilitate young persons who commit offences
Which of the following is NOT a principle in the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
Enforcing harsh punishments without rehabilitation
What role does the attitude of a young person play in determining consequences?
Leads to less serious consequences
Why might a young person need support from a social worker according to the text?
To get professional help and guidance
What is the key difference between equality and equity?
Equality means everyone receives the same treatment while equity means some individuals receive different treatment based on their needs.
What is the main purpose of the symbols used to represent the criminal justice system?
To represent the objectivity, impartiality, and the rule of law in the justice system.
What was the main issue with the Young Offenders Act (YOA) of 1984?
It resulted in long wait times and inefficient sentencing for youth offenders.
What is the main goal of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) of 2003?
To keep more young offenders from being charged and provide them with opportunities to become productive members of society.
What is the main reason given in the text for why the YCJA's approach of providing alternatives to charging youth is beneficial?
It is more cost-effective than keeping young offenders in jail.
What is the key difference between the Juvenile Delinquent Act (JDA) of 1908 and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) of 2003?
The JDA focused on punishment, while the YCJA focused on providing opportunities for rehabilitation.
Study Notes
Equality and Equity
- Equality means everyone receives the same treatment, regardless of their individual needs.
- Examples of equality include all Canadians having access to free health care, every child having access to free primary education, and each Canadian citizen over 18 being eligible to vote.
- Equity means that some individuals will receive different treatment because of having different needs.
- Examples of equity include providing accommodations, such as handicap stalls, differentiated exams, and more representation in the House of Commons from Ontario and Quebec.
Symbols of Lady Justice
- The blindfold represents objectivity and impartiality.
- The scales represent weighing of evidence.
- The sword represents punishment.
- The snake represents evilness and lies.
- The book represents law and constitution.
History of Youth Justice
- 1908: Juvenile Delinquent Act (JDA) recognized that youth should not be treated like adults.
- 1984: Young Offenders Act (YOA) led to long wait times and inefficient sentencing, and relied on the assumption that young offenders are “hedonistic and responsible for their own actions”.
- 2003: Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) is a federal law that applies to youth between 12-17 (18 less a day).
Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
- The total youth charged with offences is about the same as in the late 1980s, but fewer are ending up in jail.
- Many young people could be seen to be getting away with serious crimes under the YCJA.
- The number of youth actually charged is at a 20-year low because they are being dealt with by alternative means and not charged.
- The YCJA strategy has kept more young offenders from being charged, giving them opportunities to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.
Factors that Determine Consequences
- The YCJA allows police, prosecutors, judges, and volunteers to decide what happens to each young offender based on factors such as:
- The seriousness of the offence.
- The history of the young person.
- The attitude of the young person.
- The circumstances of the young person.
Principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act
- The YCJA is intended to:
- Prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying a young person’s offending behaviour.
- Rehabilitate young persons who commit offences and reintegrate them into society.
- Ensure that a young person is subject to meaningful consequences for their offence in order to promote the long-term protection of society.
Learn about the factors that influence the consequences faced by young offenders under the YCJA, including the seriousness of the offence, the history of the offender, and their attitude towards the offence. Explore how decisions are made by various parties involved in the youth justice system.
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