If I get into trouble, do the police have to charge me?

No. There are ways of dealing with less serious offences that do not involve proceedings in Youth Justice Court. The police will assess your situation and they have some discretion about the way they handle your case. If you have not committed a serious offence the Youth Criminal Justice Act encourages the police to use what are called extrajudicial measures. These measures divert youth from the court process and keep them from having a youth record.

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January 2004

More Youth Criminal Justice Act FAQs:

• Introduction
• Arrest / Police
• Extrajudicial Measures
• Extrajudicial Sanctions
• Youth Court

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