Trevor Committed Under The Youth Criminal Code Of Canada

Have you ever committed a crime? Trevor, a troubled young man certainly did. Trevor is from a small town in B.C. He lived in a group home. He also had a few run-ins with the police for a couple of years. Trevor also never attended school a lot and he never had a job. Late one night the police caught Trevor smashing a window of a Main Street camera shop and had intended to steal some camera equipment and sell it for a motorcycle. The consequences for Trevor’s actions would be very different depending on his age. If he was 12-17, he would be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, but if he was 18 or over, he would be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada. Comparison and contrasting over the time of his arrest, the sentencing/consequences,

The first similarity of the two acts is that Trevor is to be considered innocent until proven guilty by the prosecution. Another similarity is that you are to be treated the same as any person of any age is when arrested, for example you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to speak to a lawyer, parent or guardian, and the right to have your lawyer go to court with you. Another similarity is that when arrested if you are under the YCJA you have the right to have your parent with you during questioning and if you are 18 years and older you have the right to have your lawyer present with you until the court orders you not to. A difference is between the two acts is that if you are under the YCJA the police can recommend you to counselling, and or a letter to your parents will also be sent, but if you are under the Criminal Code they will usually arrest you. Trevor would have been treated differently and similarly if he was under the Criminal code and

A similarity is that both acts would sentence him for paying restitution like the damages and an apology. The first difference is that if Trevor was under YCJA he would avoid a criminal record, but if he was under the Criminal code his actions would be recorded on his criminal record. Another difference is that everything that Trevor did, his motives, his background, family, and mental state will be taken into account under the YCJA, while under the Criminal Code only the actions and his history will be taken into account. The consequences for Trevor under the YCJA would be lighter than if he was under the Criminal Code like, community service, counselling, restitution. The consequences for Trevor under the Criminal Code would be different like a fine or restitution, imprisonment for a period of 6 months to 2 years, and a criminal record. These are a few similarities and differences for Trevor’s sentencing if he was under the YCJA and if he was under the Criminal