What are presumptive offences and serious violent offences?

The YCJA identifies the following four presumptive offences:

• first and second-degree murder,
• manslaughter,
• attempted murder, and
• aggravated sexual assault.

A presumptive offence may mean that the young person, over the age of 14, will receive an adult sentence if found guilty.

The YCJA also creates a "serious violent offence" where a young person causes or attempts to cause serious bodily harm. A serious violent offence may become a presumptive offence if the young person has committed two prior serious violent offences.

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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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