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Program Description
A Youth Justice Committee is an alternative measures program
that involves community members and victims in negotiating
meaningful and immediate responses to minor first time offences
committed by a young person. The Committee’s are made
up of volunteers in the community who work in partnership
with other participants in the Criminal Justice System, e.g.
police, Crown Attorney, defence counsel, victim services,
Legal Aid Ontario, and probation. Committee members, who have
been trained, meet with the young person, his/her parents
and the victim to negotiate a resolution to the offence. Committees
deal with pre-charge and post-charge referrals. In the case
of pre-charge referrals, it is anticipated that police will
establish processes for identifying appropriate participants
for a Youth Justice Committee. In order for young persons
to be referred to the Committee, the young person must accept
responsibility for his or her actions, be willing to participate
in the program and be aware of his or her options and rights.
Offender Eligibility
The following is a list of offences currently eligible for
referral to Youth Justice Committees:
• Theft under $5,000
• Accommodation fraud
• Possession under $5,000
• Fraud under $5,000
• False pretences under $5,000
• Mischief under $5,000
• False statement under $5,000
• Cause a disturbance
• Food fraud
• Minor assaults (school fights)
Benefits of the Person Harmed
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Victim gets an opportunity to actively participate in
the process of resolving the incident.
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Gives the victim an opportunity to be more fully informed
about :
• the incident itself, such as motive and method
• the young person, such as who would do this
• the criminal justice system and the process
• Access to this type of information often helps the
victim deal with the fear, frustration, anxiety and alienation.
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This greatly increases the chance of receiving meaningful
restitution or feeling of Justice.
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This gives the victim an opportunity to resolve the incident
in a peaceful way that provides assurance of being able
to live in the community together.
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This method also provides a sense of closure or healing,
that victims do not feel from the court proceedings. This
gives a positive closure for a painful situation
Benefits for the Young Person
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It gives the young person the opportunity to be aware
of the harm suffered as a direct result of their actions.
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The opportunity to make amends with the person harmed.
It also gives them the opportunity to take responsibility
for their actions and learn the impact their actions on
the victim.
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To possibility of avoiding a criminal record.
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To become fully informed about what is happening and
why. To learn about the criminal justice system and it procedures.
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To take ownership in their rehabilitation process, and
give positive input.
Contact Information:
Contact: Rhonda Leduc
Manager of Youth and Court Services
Tel: 705 725 0613 Ext. 22
Fax: 705 725 0636
Email: rhonda@elizabethfrysociety.com
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe County
102 Maple Avenue
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1S4
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