Friday May 9th, 2014
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Review from yesterday
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Juvenile Delinquent Act
Young Offenders Act
Youth Criminal Justice Act
I.S.U.
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Choose topics
Work on Thesis Statement
Research list
 Where are you going to look, what sources will you
use?
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Starting next week...
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1997 case of 14 year old Reena Virk
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Beaten by group of teen girls and then killed
Made the news
Many members of society believe that crime by
youth is increasing.
There is a lot of controversy about how
Canadian Law deals with young people who
commit criminal acts
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Serious crimes (murder/aggravated sexual
assault) represent small fraction of youth crime.
Critics argue that it is society’s fear of young
people that has contributed to the idea that
violent crime is on the rise.
Between 1984-1991 youth crime rose, peaking
in 1991. Why?
Why do you think adolescents break the law?
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Youth who were abused or neglected as
children tend to be prone to violent behaviour
Spousal abuse or high levels of conflict
between parental figures
Drug abuse/alcohol, or involvement in
criminal activity by parental figures have
negative impact
Youth who leave home and live on streets are
more inclined to break the law.
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Children between 7 and 16 who committed crimes
or were considered unmanageable or sexually
immoral
Juvenile Delinquent Act 1908-1928
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Who was classified as Delinquent?
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Antisocial behaviour
Run away from home
Truancy
Sexually immoral
Consequence: training schools
 Custody facilities that provided discipline and instruction
to juvenile offenders
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Youth were not treated as criminals, but
instead viewed as children needing proper
upbringing. The main goal of the J.D.A. was
welfare of the child.
By 1970’s Canadians were becoming critical of
J.D.A.
Who had the “best interests” of the child?
Finally, the Act failed to recognize legal rights
of youth, which became more important to
Canadians in 1982.
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1984—shifted youth justice system from a
welfare approach to a criminal approach.
7 years of age to 18th birthday.
Offenders were held accountable for their
crimes, but at a lower level of accountability.
Recognized the legal rights of young people
and additional rights for youth because of their
age and vulnerability.
Maximum sentence was 3 years
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Due to demands from public, the maximum sentence
for murder eventually increased from 3 to 10 years.
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Due to the continuous controversy and
demands made by the public the Young
Offenders Act was replaced by the Youth
Criminal Justice Act in 2003.
According to the Act—it’s main purpose is the
long-term protection of society.
Meaningful punishment
Community involvement
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Presumptive Offences: murder, attempted
murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual
assault, and third serious violent crimes
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Judges in Youth court are now able to impose adult
sentences for these offences. Identity for these
situations is made public. (After sentencing)
Incapacity of children: the legal presumption
that a child under 12 years cannot form the
necessary mens rea to be convicted of a crime.
Children can be removed from parent’s home
and sent for treatment.
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What was the purpose of the Juvenile Delinquent
Act?
Why was it criticized during the 1960-70’s?
What was the significance of raising the minimum
age from 7 to 12 in the Young Offenders Act?
What is the main purpose of the Youth Criminal
Justice Act?
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List four changes introduced by this act.
What is the assumption called when the law
assumes children under 12 years of age are not
criminally responsible for their actions?
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ISU—due Monday
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Have ISU topic chosen and ready to inform Ms. Bell
Have working thesis statement
Have Research List complete by Monday.
Youth & Crime
Complete and Submit Survey from May 8th
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YZL65GC
Read page 315-318 (white portion only)
Answer 4 questions at bottom of page 318. DUE
MONDAY for marks!
 QUIZ May 9th:
 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N2CR2B3
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Welfare of the child
Because of 1982—Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
increase in crime, repeat offenders, need for
accountability
Under the age of 12, the government has determined
that children are unable to understand the full
consequence of crime
Main purpose of YCJA: long term protection of society.
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1. matched crime to punishment
2. Police required to consider other methods of dealing with
minor offences
3. Makes provisions for family, victim, youth workers etc
4. addressing and considering circumstances underlying
behaviour.
5. Incapacity of Children