The Young Offenders Act

             This essay was written to show the advantages and
             disadvantages of the Young Offenders Act over the previous Juvenile
             Delinquents Act. Also it should give a theoretical understanding of
             the current Canadian Juvenile-Justice system, the act and it's
             implications and the effects of the young offenders needs and mental
             health on the outcome of the trials.
             In the interest of society the young offenders act was brought
             forth on april second 1984. This act was created to ensure the rights
             and the needs of a young person. Alan W. Leshied says "On one hand
             the justice and legal objectives of the act are being effectively
             realized while on the other hand the needs and treatment aspects of it
             leave much to be desired." The research of the Young offenders act is
             still ongoing but Leshied says that it is becoming clear that the
             custody positions have been in dispute since the act came into effect.
             The old Juvenile delinquency act states in section 38 "The care and
             custody and discipline of a juvenile delinquent shall approximate as
             nearly as maybe that which should be given by his parents, and... as
             far as practability every juvenile delinquent shall be treated, not as
             a criminal, but as a misguided and misdirected child . . . needing
             aid, encouragement, help and assistance."(Page 72)
             If a youth is close to the adult age of 18 years they could be
             transfered to the adult justice system. This means that they would be
             given the same sentences as an adult including and up to life in
             prison. Many people have tried to correct this problem that they see
             as a weakness. Yet, so far their attempts have failed. Another
             weakness they find, is that the courts are expensive and
             unsatisfactory methods of dealing with crime that is not very serious.
             Before the fabrication of legal aid most young offenders were
             ...

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The Young Offenders Act. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 13:21, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/76625.html