The Youth Criminal Justice Act places an appropriate emphasis on the rehabilitation and re-integration of young offenders into Canadian society. This aspirational goal is the result of recognizing the diminished maturity, and therefore moral culpability, of persons under the age of 18.
Although the Youth Criminal Justice Act places strict limits on the ways in which young persons can be investigated and prosecuted for criminal conduct, youth charges remain extremely serious and should be treated as such.
Without the proper supports and legal guidance, relatively simple cases often spiral into recurring charges - most often due to strict bail conditions, an undiagnosed mental health issue, or a combination of the two. In time, attitudinal changes on the part of the young person toward the justice system increase the likelihood of re-offence after the age of 18. In the result, what was once a temporary youth record can transform into a permanent criminal file that haunts the adult.
Young offenders deserve the same intelligent, full-throated defence as any adult. An experienced Toronto criminal lawyer will not only maximize the unique legal advantages afforded to youths by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but will also work closely with parents or parenting agencies to connect the young person with appropriate community supports. Only by addressing the root cause of the offending behaviour, while implementing a successful court strategy, can the young person and their family feel confident that they are on track to obtaining the best and most durable outcome.
Toronto criminal lawyer Shayan Shaffie has represented countless young offenders at all stages of the criminal justice process. He has achieved exceptional results by empowering his youth clients and informing their parents of the legal pathway ahead. If your child is facing charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, call Shayan Shaffie today.