Who is a young offender

By working with an experienced young offenders lawyer to defend their case, you can get the vital support to give your child the brighter future they deserve. We know that sometimes even the nicest kids can end up in the wrong crowd and we are here to support them and their families by providing the best defence possible.

Remember, you and your child should never have to face the law alone - we are here to fight for you. The content on this web site is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. The articles published on this web site are current as of their original date of publication, but should not be relied upon as accurate, timely or fit for any particular purpose.

You should consult a lawyer for advice regarding your individual situation. Accessing or using this web site does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as a lawyer-client relationship has been established. What The Law Blog Young Offender: Understanding Your Child's Rights Across Canada, youth crime and rehabilitation are serious issues that requires individualized attention that is unique to the offender. What is a Young Offender?

According to the Youth Criminal Justice Act , the criminal justice system recognizes: Youth must be separate from the system used for adults The importance of including families and communities around a young person The value of finding alternatives to the traditional, formal court setting that will work better with certain young people. This means your child has the right to: Not being detained arbitrarily unfairly Not be searched unreasonably Be informed of the reasons for their arrest Be released if they were unlawfully detained Be presumed innocent until proven guilty Have equal protection regardless of their race, origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Victims must be: informed about the proceedings; given an opportunity to participate in the youth justice process; and treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy.

Victims can ask for information in police and court records. The harm done to victims must be considered by the Court at the sentencing of a young person. Report a problem on this page Please select all that apply: Something is broken. Provide more details optional :. The page has spelling or grammar mistakes. The ASBO may be given to anyone who is at least 10 years old and has caused alarm, distress or harassment. If the order is not followed, the young individual may face prosecution.

The ISO requires the individual to attend sessions each week to improve their behaviour. They usually last up to six months. Failure to follow the ISO would be considered a criminal offence. Parents of children under 16 years old are responsible for the payment of such fines.

The identity of a child aged between 10 and 17 charged with a crime must not be disclosed outside the court. If they are 16 or under, their parents, guardians or carers must attend court. While the court proceedings are ongoing, the court may decide whether to give the young offender one of the following:.