Youth Justice Services

Goal: To address minor offences outside of the formal justice system, focusing on early intervention, accountability, and behaviour change without a criminal record.

Eligible Offenses:

• First-time or low-risk offenses such as minor theft, mischief, or disturbances.

Eligibility:

• Youth with little or no prior involvement with the justice system.
• The youth must accept responsibility for their actions.

Exclusionary Criteria:

• Youth who deny responsibility for the offense.
• Offenses involving significant violence or harm to others.
• Repeat offenders with a history of multiple similar offenses.
• Youth who fail to comply with prior EJM agreements.

How It Works:

Extrajudicial Measures offer youth an alternative to formal court proceedings by addressing minor offenses outside of the judicial system. These measures focus on early intervention and may include:

• Police warnings and cautions
• Referrals to community-based programs
• Restorative justice approaches such as apologies, mediation, or community service

EJM provides an opportunity for youth to acknowledge their actions, make amends, and engage in positive behavior changes without receiving a criminal record.

Goal: To provide youth with meaningful consequences while avoiding formal court proceedings, emphasizing rehabilitation, restitution, and community-based accountability.

Eligible Offenses:

• More serious but non-violent offenses such as property crimes, repeated minor offenses, or incidents requiring greater accountability.

Eligibility:

• Youth must take responsibility for their actions.
• Youth must comply with assigned sanctions such as community service, restitution, or educational programs.

Exclusionary Criteria:

• Youth who deny responsibility for the offense.
• Offenses involving severe violence, weapons, or threats to public safety.
• Cases where the victim strongly opposes alternative resolution measures.
• Youth who have previously failed to complete an EJS agreement.

How It Works:

Extrajudicial Sanctions provide an alternative resolution for youth who have committed more serious offenses and require additional accountability measures beyond EJM. Youth who qualify for EJS must actively participate in agreed-upon sanctions, which may include:

• Community service projects
• Educational workshops focused on decision-making, substance use, or anger management
• Written or verbal apologies to victims
• Restitution or repair of harm caused
• Participation in restorative justice circles

Successful completion of EJS allows youth to avoid a formal criminal record while addressing the root causes of their behavior in a constructive manner.

Youth Justice Committees facilitate restorative justice forums where youth, victims, and community members engage in meaningful dialogue to repair harm and find solutions that foster accountability and healing. Each forum is guided by trained staff and volunteers and provides youth with a structured environment to:

• Understand the impact of their actions on victims and the community
• Take responsibility for their behaviour
• Develop a plan to repair harm and prevent future offenses

YJC forums encourage youth to actively participate in a process that promotes empathy, accountability, and positive decision-making.