AHSS 1160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Youth Criminal Justice Act, Publication Ban
31 Jul 2018
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Document Summary
The ycja applies to youth who have reached their 12th birthday until their 18th birthday at the time of the offence. The ycja incorporates four general principles, expressed in section 3(1). These protections are designed to utilize a young person"s potential for rehabilitation and for overcoming criminal behaviour, so that he or she can go on to play a productive role in society. As in the case of adults, any young person suspected or accused of committing an offence is entitled to representation by a lawyer. This right arises early, even where police are considering the use of extrajudicial measures instead of prosecution. In order to encourage young persons to retain counsel, the right to counsel is specifically referred to in a notice given to the youth"s parents. If the young suspect cannot afford to hire a lawyer, he or she will be referred to legal aid.
