Toronto Young Offender Lawyer

The Youth Criminal Justice Act

When a person under the age of 18 is charged with a criminal offence in Canada, their case is governed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, known as the YCJA. This legislation came into force on April 1, 2003, replacing the former Young Offenders Act. The YCJA is a vast and intricate piece of law with numerous provisions that shape how young people are prosecuted, including special rules on arrest, statements to police, detention, and the protection of a young person's identity.

Many otherwise seasoned criminal lawyers have little familiarity with the YCJA. That matters, because the statute creates a range of remedies and outcomes for young persons that simply do not exist for adults facing the same charges.

Why Youth Cases Are Different

The YCJA is built on principles distinct from the adult system. It recognizes that young people have a reduced level of maturity and a heightened capacity for rehabilitation, and it emphasizes timely intervention, meaningful consequences, and reintegration over punishment. In practice, this opens doors that are closed in adult court, including:

• Extrajudicial measures and sanctions: Warnings, cautions, referrals to community programs, and other measures that can resolve a matter without a formal finding of guilt.
• Youth-specific sentencing: A focus on rehabilitation, including reprimands, community service, and probation, with custody reserved for the most serious cases.
• Privacy protections: Strict publication bans and limits on access to youth records that help safeguard a young person's future.

There are numerous remedies available to young persons charged criminally that are not available to adults facing the same charges.

Toronto Youth Court at 311 Jarvis Street

In Toronto, most young persons are prosecuted at the courthouse located at 311 Jarvis Street. A young person facing charges should retain a lawyer who is genuinely familiar with both the YCJA and the professionals who operate in that courthouse. Robb MacDonald has defended numerous young people at 311 Jarvis, knows the legislation well, and enjoys amicable working relationships with many of the prosecutors there. That familiarity allows him to anticipate how the Crown will approach a file and to pursue the resolutions best suited to a young client.

Protecting a Young Person's Future

A criminal charge can have a lasting effect on a young person's education, employment prospects, and confidence. The goal is always to resolve the matter in a way that holds the young person accountable where appropriate while protecting their long-term future. If your child or a young person you care about has been charged under the YCJA, do not hesitate. Contact Robb for a free, confidential consultation.