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Youth Justice
Committees (YJCs) involve trained community members who meet with
victims, young people between 12 and 17 alleged to have committed
non-violent offences and their parents to negotiate an appropriate
way for the young person to make amends for his or her actions.
YJCs are currently in place or in development in fifty-seven locations throughout
the province.
| Committees aim to reduce repeat offences |
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Youth Justice Committees bring together young people alleged to
have committed non-violent offences, their parents, victims and
trained members of the community to negotiate an appropriate way
for the young person to make amends for his or her actions. Youth
Justice Committees provide an increased role for victims and communities
in dealing with minor offences committed by young persons who are
prepared to be accountable.
Programs similar to Ontario's Youth Justice Committees are underway
in Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories,
Australia and New Zealand.
| How Youth Justice Committees Work |
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The Youth Justice Committee program is an alternative to formal
court proceedings. The committee, together with the young offender,
his or her parents, and the victim if he or she wants to participate,
works out the appropriate way for the offender to make amends for
his or her actions.
- Committees are made up of community volunteers who work in partnership
with participants in the criminal justice system, including Crown
attorneys, police, vicitims' services and probation officers.
- Police may refer an offender to a committee before a charge
is laid, or the Crown may refer an offender after a charge is
laid.
- In order for offenders to be referred to the committee, the
offender must be prepared to be accountable for his or her actions,
be willing to participate in the program and be aware of his or
her options and rights.
- Offenders who do not agree with, or comply with the measures,
are returned to the formal court system.
| Examples of Measures |
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Measures take into consideration the individual circumstances of
the offence and the young person. An apology must be made in every
case.Examples of measures include:
- community service;
- written project;
- curfews;
- paying back the victim and community;
- voluntary participation in counselling programs, such as anger
management
sessions; and
- an agreement by the offender not to associate with a person
or a group.
| Selection of Youth Justice Committee Members |
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A steering committee is formed to develop a proposal to set up
a Youth Justice Committee and solicit volunteer members. This steering
committee includes local Crown attorneys, police, probation officers,
and representatives of victims' services and Legal Aid.
Volunteer membership on the Youth Justice Committee will be:
- representative of the community;
- subject to a criminal record check;
- recommended by the steering committee;
- approved for membership by the Ministry of the Attorney General;
trained; and
- required to take an oath of confidentiality.
Volunteer members may be removed for any inappropriate behaviour,
such as a breach of confidentiality or non-disclosure of conflict
of interest.
Police, Probation Officers and Crown attorneys will be available
to act as resources to the committees and provide ongoing support.
| Eligible Offences Committed by Young Persons |
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Offences eligible for referral to committees include:
- theft, possession under $5,000 (for example, shoplifting, possession
of stolen property or goods);
- false pretences under $5,000 (for example, price switching);
- mischief under $5,000 (for example, breaking a shop window);
- causing a disturbance;
- fraud under $5,000;
- false statements under $5,000; and
- food, accommodation fraud.
Expanded offences eligible for referral to committees
include:
- property offences over $5,000;
- giving a false name when arrested;
- credit card offences; and
- minor assaults (schoolyard scuffles, altercations and interpersonal
conflicts).
| Ineligible Offences |
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Offences such as the following are not eligible for
referral to committees:
- major property offences;
- weapons offences;
- serious assault, including sexual harassment (for example, stalking);
and
- alcohol-related driving offences.
| Sponsoring Ministries |
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The Ministry of the Attorney General is the lead ministry responsible
for the establishment of the Youth Justice Committees.
The Youth Justice Committees is also supported by the Ministry
of Children and Youth Services.
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