Youth in conflict with the law are dealt with under the federal legislation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The YCJA deals with youth between the ages of 12 to 17 and provides an alternative for youth to receive counselling and education while providing restitution to the victim, instead of the youth being charged with the offence involved and attending court, resulting in a possible criminal record.
This option is available to youth who have minimal involvement with the police, with the offence being of a non-violent nature. These offences would include shoplifting and minor damage to property.
CKPS Youth Coordinator Constable Kyle Wright monitors local youth investigations and diverts the youth when appropriate to community agencies.
The current youth officer is Constable Kyle Wright.
Youth Criminal Justice Act
The Youth Criminal Justice Act is the legislation in Canada that deals with young people who break the law.
The legislation applies to young people who were 12 to 17 years old when the action they are accused of committing.
When a young person breaks the law, police use the Youth Criminal Justice Act to decide what action they will take. A young person may be dealt with outside of the formal court process or may be sent to court. A young person who is found guilty will be given a sentence by the court.
In Ontario, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services provides programs and services for young people who:
- Have been dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, or
- At the risk of breaking the law.
The ministry’s programs and services:
- Hold young people accountable for their actions.
- Provide opportunities for young people to make better choices.
- Provide services that address youths’ issues and help them not to get into trouble with the law again.
- Help build safe communities and prevent crime.
Young people in conflict with the law have very different needs from adults. That is why Ontario is moving youth out of adult correctional facilities and into separate secure custody facilities dedicated to young people. These facilities will provide young people with effective programs and more opportunities for rehabilitation.
The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for court processes for young people.
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has responsibility for the police.
When a young person is dealt with outside of the formal court process
Extrajudicial Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions
Youth in these programs take responsibility for their actions and develop skills to reduce the chance that they will get in trouble again. A young person might:
- Get counselling to help deal with problems such as drug abuse.
- Volunteer in the community.
- Repair or pay for damaged or stolen property.
- Write an apology.
- Take a program such as anger management.
- School-based Prevention/Diversion Programs.
These programs are in schools across the province. They bring together community agencies, police, and teachers to keep schools safe, respond to acting out behaviour, address youth issues, and help youth in trouble stay in school.
Restorative Justice Programs
The youth, victims, the family, and the community come together, with the help of trained adults, to talk about the harm done and how to repair it.
Community Youth Agencies
Agencies involved in providing youth services: