In today’s world, to define the strength of a country or nation, people point at the number of youth. A country having more young people means it’s apt to face the challenges of the latter-days.
At the age of mistakes, someone senior has to mentor every teenager. An elder sibling, or even a parent, must have an amiable relationship with the junior ones who are now being grown-ups.
We want our nation prosperous, that leaves us some responsibilities. We should be the earliest to talk about something our youngers want to know. If accurately, they need to know. Today’s discussion has something like that- the youth criminal justice act.
What is the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
It’s the act associated with the justice system for youth criminal records. YCJA believes that youth offenders should have the opportunity to feel responsible, considerate, and cooperative people as a chance.
The title itself says it is for the people of a specific group who hasn’t yet turned 18. The act is applicable for the 12-17 years range. There can also be some cases that a youth’s trial can still be under the YCJA even if they are 18.
No child under 12 will be charged with a criminal offence under YCJA. The police try to dismiss the matter keeping it limited among the parents, school, or other organizations.
History of YCJA
A person should be accountable for their actions. As the matter of ‘age’ stands between, there are different laws for young persons.
In the past, a child committing a crime used to be taken under the JDA (Juvenile Delinquents Act). In some cases, boys under 18 engaged in crime were prosecuted and sentenced like adults. In 1982, the parliament replaced JDA with the YOA (Young Offenders Act). It had been carried on till March 2003.
Youth criminal justice act was active from 1st April 2003. Its aim was to fix some discrepancies that occurred while applying the previous system. There were also some formal amendments in 2012 of it. Till now, the system has been running.
Proceedings under YCJA
As per about juvenile crimes and YCJA, police officers and prosecutors have the authority to-
- Taking no action afterward: A legal associate may ignore a young person’s actions as not chargeable and let them go without any action.
- Informal Warning: Discussion with the young person at fault or their parents about their behaviours.
- Police Caution: It’s a formal warning to anyone who admits their crime and is 10 years old or above.
- Crown Cautions: It’s a kind of extrajudicial sanction by a prosecutor after a police officer passes the case to them.
- Referrals: Dispatching a young defender to a panel other than punishing due to the crime to improve their behaviour.
- Extrajudicial Sanctions: Taking part in any specialized programs, indemnifying the victim, or doing any volunteer work.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation for the young wrongdoers is to address the reasons that made them engage in crimes. At the same time, its objectives enclose encouraging them to lead an easy life further and not to return to the wrong path.
Reintegration
Reintegration persuades with the issues that how a young person can restart their normal life easily and without any problems or difficulties.
Sentences
For individual crimes, the penalties in YCJA are predetermined. And, in this case, the judges don’t go beyond.
If the crime is 1st-degree murder, the convicted one will have a maximum of 10 years sentence. Among the duration, 6 years in custody, and the rest will be in the community under supervision with conditions.
For 2nd-degree murder, it follows almost the same punishment structure as for 1st-degree murder. The custody time is 4 years and the community period is 3 years (total maximum 7 years).
For serious indictable offences, the maximum sentence is 3 years.
Other offences punishment will be 2 years.
Current Standing of YCJA
Police have reported that the workload has been colossal after the YCJA came to the application. The background paperwork takes a lot of time, while the court-time is less now.
The associates to this system also consider that there should also be some updates. Those are regarding the training opportunities, resources, information, etc.
Summary of Youth Criminal Justice Act
Law is not always about punishing. It also guides to return and regain having things back at the very exact place. Let’s have a look at the YCJA’s synopsis:
- The person within the age limit of 12-17 will receive different treatment than adults.
- YCJA aims to prevent the law-breaking actions among the juveniles with their rehabilitations and ensure public protection from any unexpected event.
- Its actions include hospitable communication with the young wrongdoers and encourage them to be more compassionate, responsible, and sensitive about the people around them.
- The judgment shouldn’t overhaul the offence.
- Youngsters should have chances to share their thoughts and feelings and engage in decisions of their life.
- Sometimes the guilty person needs social support that could help develop their behaviour.
Final Words
The youth criminal justice act is not unchangeable like the other laws. In 2012, the act focused on public safety besides considering the sides of the youth. But, the idea remains the same to do justice, and there shouldn’t be any over-retribution.
Still, it’s not so that an event will manifest the very same background if repeated. Therefore, the legal management must be working on this being fully conversant. For now, it’s high time the young people are aware of the youth criminal justice act and, most importantly, be law-abiding citizens.
