When parents in Ontario get a call to inform them that their minor child is in police custody, they may not know what legal options are available to them. There are different ways in which allegations of juvenile crimes are handled under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the charges, authorities might use extrajudicial measures.
If appropriate, the police department may believe a youth will accept responsibility for his or her actions by taking part in a community program designed for juvenile delinquents -- rather than law enforcement proceeding to file criminal charges. These out-of-court programs aim to teach youngsters how they can avoid trouble, fix property they damaged, enroll in alcohol and drug programs and more. If the youth is formally charged, the Crown Attorney might still refer him or her to a community program. These Post-Charge Extrajudicial Sanctions take place in centres of detention while awaiting a hearing in a youth court.
If a juvenile was involved in a serious crime, the Crown might decide to keep the youth in detention for the safety of the public. Parents may be concerned about the fact that their children will be exposed to convicted youth criminals in a detention centre. However, a probation officer will help a juvenile to deal with issues such as anger, substance abuse and more. Authorities will also collaborate with health professionals to address the mental health needs of juveniles in detention.
Facing charges for juvenile crimes is not something parents would want for their children. Ontario parents may find comfort in knowing that an experienced juvenile criminal defence lawyer can protect the rights of accused children. A skilled lawyer will be aware of the needs of a youth in the justice system, and he or she can evaluate the charges and take advantage of the extrajudicial measures that may be available.
Source: children.gov.on.ca, "My teen has broken the law", Accessed on Jan. 20, 2017
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