The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

792 Words2 Pages

Before one commits a crime, they need to consider the consequences of what will happen. The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) outlines what may happen to youth accused of a crime, from jail sentences to restorative justice wherein youth go to a sentencing circle to discuss the impact of their crime with the wider community and any victims. The maximum length of youth sentences range from two to ten years, depending on the level of offense committed and the type of sentence imposed. For example, the consequences for shoplifting are different than the consequences for assault and drug possession. Since the YCJA came into action in 2003, crime rates have drastically decreased because youth are more aware of the serious consequences. Crime amongst …show more content…

Since 2007, the Social Studies curriculum in Alberta has been teaching about the YCJA. The government wants to make young teens aware of what the YCJA is about what will happen if they get involved in it, and how it can affect you in multiple ways. The government wants them to know the consequences of each crime and how the rates of committing crime have gone down. Teaching students about this can increase their ability to know what's wrong and right! This means the rates will get lower, making the next generation realize crime isn’t worth their …show more content…

Their sentences depend on the crime they have committed and how their attitude is towards it. The judge also considers if they have done any previous crimes. Some consequences given are community service (where the offender serves in the community under strict circumstances). Another consequence can be custody and supervision sentences (where a youth spends a period of time in a youth custody facility and a period of community supervision).

For example, if one had less than 30 grams of marijuana, the penalty for a first criminal offense is getting a criminal record by having a criminal record it can prevent you from traveling to other countries, getting certain jobs, being bonded (which some jobs require) and applying for citizenship. The penalty for a second criminal offense is at least a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in jail or both. By going to jail you automatically get a criminal record, which already has many bad consequences and you loss $1,000 just by having marijuana with you.

“I have a dream that we won’t have to talk about ‘restorative justice’ because it will be understood that true justice is about restoration, and about transformation. I have a dream.” -Howard

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The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

Youth Court Action Planning Plan (YCAPP)

Epilogue To John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Young Offenders Act In Canada

Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

Young Offenders Act