Youth vs. Adult Justice System in Canada

Outcome 1: Youth Justice System vs. Adult Justice System in Canada

• Justice is defined as fairness and moral rights.
• A justice system is a structured system of laws and processes to ensure fairness and justice for victims of crime.
• A fair and equitable justice system delivers appropriate punishments/justice for committed crimes.
• A fundamental principle in Canadian and other democratic societies is innocent until proven guilty.
• The YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) applies to youth offenders aged 12-17.
• The Criminal Code of Canada defines consequences for adult offenders.
• Community service is a form of rehabilitation aiming to put a crime in context for the victims.
• A criminal record is a permanent record of all criminal offenses, accessible to all.
• A sentence is the outcome of a crime.
• Differences between youth (YCJA) and adult (Criminal Code) justice systems should be compared.

Common Consequences for Breaking the Law (Youth vs. Adults)

• Youth: Warnings, Diversion programs, Compensation, Custody, Probation.
• Adults: Fines, Probation, Community service, Imprisonment, Compensation, Criminal record.
• Criminal records are not always created for youth offenses.
• The seriousness of the crime can influence the consequences for youth, and records.

Rules & Expectations in Youth Court

• The YCJA does not allow for adult sentences for youth unless they are over 14 and committed serious offenses.
• Changes from the Young Offenders Act to the YCJA aimed at giving youth appropriate consequences for a specific time frame.
• Factors influencing sentencing of young offenders: Level of responsibility, Nature/Severity of crime, Rehabilitation potential, Personal circumstances.
• Objectives of the YCJA are Accountability, Rehabilitation, Fair consequences, Prevention of future offenses
• Reintegration means reintroducing someone back into society after rehabilitation.

Meaningful Consequences, Graph, & Youth Justice System Statistics

• Meaningful consequences mean the consequences of a crime are appropriate for the offense.
• Youth crime statistics in Canada were graphed between 1986-2006.
• Approx. 9,000 youth were charged with offences in 1991.
• The YCJA was introduced in 1995, laws effective 2003, leading to a notable drop/change in youth crime.

Justice Advocacy Groups

• John Howard Society: proactive & reactive, helping everyone, and also aiding at-risk youth or those dealing with the justice system.
• Elizabeth Fry Society: focusing on women, girls, and babies, assists to reintegrate individuals into society.

Youth Justice Committee Function

• The Youth Justice Committee helps youth offenders overcome minor offenses and be held accountable for their actions.

Role of Elders in Justice System

• Elders play an important role in integrating Indigenous offenders back into society by assisting in jobs, improving lifestyle choices.
• Elders participate in sentencing circles and youth justice committees, helping Indigenous offenders connect with their cultural heritage.

Jurors Responsibilities

• Jurors are people deciding the outcome of legal cases.
• Eligibility requirements include being over 18 and having a clear criminal record.
• Responsibilities and expectations from employers & jurors, include providing transportation, must get time off of work, & must have no undue hardship.
• Jurors should remain isolated & unbiased.
• Oath must be taken to be truthful & fair.
• Jurors must only use evidence and the law to reach a verdict.

Outcome 2: Citizen & Organizational Participation in Canada's Justice System

• A jury is a group of people that decide the outcome of a legal case.
• Eligibility criteria for jury duty include minimum age (18), citizenship, and a clean criminal record.
• Jury duty participants must provide their own transportation, and may receive time off work provided there isn't undue hardship.