How does the Act deal with young persons in conflict with the law?

The Act begins by setting out its basic principles of crime prevention, rehabilitation of the young person, and the determination of meaningful consequences for criminal actions. It states that the criminal justice system for young people must

• be separate from that for adults;
• emphasize rehabilitation and reintegration;
• provide fair and proportionate accountability that reflects the reduced level of maturity of young persons;
• provide intervention in a timely fashion; and
• provide enhanced procedural safeguards to ensure that young persons are treated fairly.

Parents, extended families, the community, and social or other agencies may also have a chance to be involved in the young person's case. A young person's gender; ethnic, cultural, and linguistic background; special needs; and aboriginal heritage may be taken into consideration.

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May 2003 More Youth Criminal Justice Act FAQs:

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

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