Youth Matters (YCJA)
Defence for young persons under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, protecting their rights and their future.
Call 24/7 · 519-977-5407How youth charges work (YCJA)
Young persons aged 12 to 17 are dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act — a distinct regime built on the principle that young people have heightened prospects for rehabilitation and reduced moral blameworthiness. Sentencing options, records, and even police questioning all work differently than in adult court.
The YCJA's enhanced protections are real but technical: special rules govern statements young people give to police, records access is restricted, and extrajudicial measures can resolve matters without court at all. For a family, the priority is simple — resolving the matter in the way that least burdens the young person's future.
How We Defend
Enforce the YCJA's strict rules on statements taken from young persons
Pursue extrajudicial measures and sanctions that avoid court outcomes
Protect the confidentiality of youth records at every stage
Involve parents appropriately while protecting the young person's interests
Address school and extracurricular consequences alongside the court case
Every case turns on its own facts. Call 519-977-5407 for a confidential assessment of yours.
What To Expect
How your defence proceeds
Call — any hour
The phone is answered 24/7. If you or a family member has been arrested, the sooner we're involved, the more options you have.
Disclosure & review
We obtain the Crown's disclosure and go through it line by line — evidence, statements, procedure, and Charter issues.
Strategy
You get a straight assessment: the strengths, the risks, and the realistic paths — resolution, negotiation, or trial.
Resolution or trial
Whether it ends in a withdrawal, a negotiated outcome, or a verdict, your case is prepared as if it's going the distance.
Common Questions
Youth Matters: what people ask us
Will this follow my child into adulthood?
Youth records are subject to strict access periods, after which they are sealed from most purposes — provided there are no further findings. Protecting the record now is the key to it staying closed later.
The police want to talk to my child. Should we cooperate?
Not before getting legal advice. The YCJA gives young persons enhanced rights around statements — including consultation with counsel and a parent — and statements taken in breach of those rights can be excluded. Call us first; the phone is answered 24/7.
The answers above are general information about Ontario law, not legal advice about your situation. For advice on your case, call 519-977-5407.
Related Practice Areas
Charged with an offence?
Speak with our team today about your options. The phone is answered 24 hours a day: 519-977-5407.