Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) Essay -- essays research papers

Youth crime is a growing epidemic that affects most teenagers at one point in their life. thither is no question in society to whether or non youths argon committing crimes. It has been shown that since 1986 to 1998 violent crime committed by youth jumped approximately great hundred% (CITE). The most controversial controversy in Canadian history would hit to be about the youth Offenders Act (YOA). In 1982, Parliament passed the Young Offenders Act (YOA). Effective since 1984, the Young Offenders Act replaced the most recent magnetic declination of the upstart Delinquents Act (JDA). The Young Offenders Acts purpose was to mis ready from a social welfare approach to making youth take responsibility for their actions. It also addressed concerns that the paternalistic treatment of children under the JDA did not conform to Canadian human rights legislation (Mapleleaf). It remained a heated debate until the new legislation passed the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Some view a comple te overhaul was needed, others thought minor changes would suffice, and still others mat up that the Young Offenders Act was best left alone. In February 2002, the House of park passed the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The Act came into effect in April 2003, replacing the Young Offenders Act (Mapleleaf). The new legislation attempts to balance the legalistic example of the Young Offenders Act and the social needs approach underlying the Juvenile Delinquents Act. This goal is apparent in the Declaration of Principle stating th...