Welcome to the Youth Justice Committees of Ontario Website

Youth Justice Committees involve victims and communities in finding ways to help young people who have committed minor offences be accountable for their actions.

A Youth Justice Committee meeting brings together a young person between the ages of twelve and seventeen who is alleged to have committed a low-risk offence, his or her parent(s) or guardian(s), the victim, and trained members of the community. Together, they negotiate an appropriate way for the young person to make amends for his or her actions.

Youth Justice Committees are in place or in development in fifty-seven communities throughout Ontario. This program is funded by Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General.

Programs similar to Ontario's exist in Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories, Australia and New Zealand.

How A Youth Justice Committee (YJC) Works

• The YJC is made up of volunteers from the community. These volunteers work with a local agency and participants in the criminal justice system.

• Police may refer a young person to the YJC before a charge is laid or the Crown attorney may refer the young person after a charge is laid.

• In order for a young person to be referred to a YJC the young person must be willing to participate in the program, be aware of his or her rights and options and be prepared to be held accountable.

• At a Youth Justice Committee meeting participants work together to come up with measures that are an alternative to the young person's continuing through the formal justice system.

• Young people who do not agree with the measures or fail to complete them can be returned to the formal justice system.

Thank you for visiting the Youth Justice Committee Ontario website. Please note: links to external sites are offered for the convenience of yjcontario.ca visitors. The Youth Justice Committees of Ontario do not accept liability for linked sites or their content. Not all sites linked to yjcontario.ca are available in French. Any specific comments or inquiries regarding those sites should be directed to the individual organization.