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Before introduction of the youth justice System
Before the introduction of a youth justice system they were punished in the exact same way as adults and sometimes even harsher for minor crimes. -
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Juvenile delinquents act
This act added the youth justice system which treated children as misdirected and misguided child instead of a criminal. This also added separate courts with judges more focusing on rehabilitation instead of punishments. Seven would be the minimum age a child could be criminally charged and children under 12 could only be committed to an institution. -
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Young Offenders Act
the youth offenders act changed the way children were dealt with in the youth justice system. Young people who commit offence must take responsibility for their crime but not be held accountable the same way as a adult. It was in their best interest to address youth crime by using social and community based solution instead of incarceration. This lead to debates about if they were being too lenient with the charges of youth and believed more severe punishments were required -
1986 Ammendment
it changed that a young offender could be detained longer than 3 years if they committed another offence in the interim. The sentence could also be continued on once they were a adult -
1992 Ammendment
This amendment extended the maximum penalty of first and second degree murders from three to five years. It also gave greater importance of protecting society instead for the youths needs. -
1995 Ammendment
This amendment increased the maximum penalty of first or second degree to ten years and created a presumption that youth over 16 who committed a serious crime would attend adult court. Victim impact statements were also allowed in courts. This amendment is what allowed J.R to get a ten year sentence even with being charged as a young offender. -
Juvenile Delinquency vs young offender
Delinquency is someone under 18 committing a minor crime while young offender simply means a minor who committed a illegal offense. The change in terminology provides some clarification on the fact that children under 14 are still processed in the youth justice system no matter the crime. -
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Youth Criminal Justice Act
This form of the youth justice system had been attempted to introduced several times. The first time a similar bill was introduced was in 1999 named Bill C-68, and was reintroduced later 1999 as Bill C-3.The final form of the act was reintroduced again in 2001 as Bill C-7 and passed from the HOC in February in 2002.The new act came into effect in April 2003. -
Introduction of YCJA
Introduced the YCJA act which improved the fairness in sentencing and effective reintegration of young people released from custody. -
Ammendment of YCJA
Strengthened the ways youth justice system deals with repeat and violent offenders.