Areas of Practice

Protecting young futures

Youth Charges

When a young person is charged, the stakes extend far beyond the courtroom — education, future employment, travel, and reputation are all in play. Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act recognizes this, prioritizing rehabilitation and proportionate consequences over punishment.

We defend young people with the same rigour as any adult client, while using every protection the YCJA provides: extrajudicial measures, enhanced procedural rights, publication bans, and sentencing principles designed to protect a young person's future.

I

Defence of all offences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act

II

Pursuit of extrajudicial measures and diversion where available

III

Protection of records, privacy, and publication bans

IV

Resistance to adult sentence applications in serious cases

Frequently Asked questions.

Who does the Youth Criminal Justice Act apply to?
The YCJA governs young persons who were 12 to 17 years old at the time of the alleged offence. Children under 12 cannot be charged criminally in Canada, and those 18 or older at the time of the offence are dealt with as adults.
Will my child have a permanent criminal record?
Youth records are not permanent in the way adult records are. They are subject to defined access periods, after which they are sealed or destroyed if no further offences occur. Protecting the record — and understanding how access periods work — is a core part of the defence strategy.
Can a youth be sentenced as an adult?
Only in serious cases. The Crown can apply for an adult sentence where a young person 14 or older is found guilty of a serious offence such as murder, and the court must be satisfied that a youth sentence would not hold the young person sufficiently accountable. These applications can and should be vigorously contested.
Can my child's name be published?
Generally, no. The YCJA prohibits publishing information that would identify a young person dealt with under the Act, subject to narrow exceptions — primarily where an adult sentence is imposed. Privacy protection is one of the Act's most important safeguards.

The information on this page is general legal information about Canadian criminal law and Alberta procedure. It is not legal advice, and it does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts — contact Snukal Law Office for advice about your specific situation.

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Facing a charge? Talk to us first.

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