Youth Crimes - Arrests Law 12 – MUNDY 2009
Police Actions Towards Youth Police are given flexibility through YCJA, when faced with a youth suspected of a criminal act, to use other options than simply arresting them Options include: ▫talking with youth ▫meeting with parents, sending youth into their care Police still record incident (not crime) in case youth commits crimes again in future
Youth Arrests When arresting youth, all of Charter’s legal rights apply Arrest rights expressed: ▫describing rights in clear, understandable language ▫right to silence - any statements made could be used in court as evidence ▫right to consult lawyer ▫right to have parent/adult present during questioning (police cannot question if not present)
Youth and Detention, Bail During detention, youth have same rights as adults (ex. – only fingerprints, photographs taken if charged with indictable offence) Efforts made by police, courts to place charged youth in hands of parents/guardians as soon as possible prior to trial (recognizance w/surety) If arrested youth could reoffend (or may not show up for court dates), youth placed under house arrest or foster homes
Parental Involvement Parents are notified as soon as police can after a youth is arrested or detained parents allowed to provide their views to court prior to sentencing