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Likes, shares, and emoticons may not have a very gangster image - but they’re becoming an essential part of gang culture. Social media is changing the way gang members interact with their peers, rivals, and community, and does it increase gang violence? Cyberbanging...
Young offenders have their own special rights and privileges, but are they subject to DNA Order? Do they have to provide DNA samples and are they indexed in the DNA Data Bank? The DNA Identification Act allows courts to order DNA analysis and store the DNA profile in...
Ontario’s youth justice system operates separately from the adult system. When someone between the ages of 12 and 17 is charged with a criminal offence, police must follow the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The YCJA focuses on improving outcomes, taking...
Canada’s recent federal legalization of cannabis has been making headlines around the world, but how legalization affects youth and underage cannabis possession is rarely mentioned. Federally, the minimum age for marihuana possession is 18. But, as with tobacco and...
Having your child face criminal charges is challenging for any family. Parents can have an especially difficult time both accepting that their child is involved in the justice system and also finding the right balancing of supporting their child, maintaining their...
A criminal record can put a limit on your freedoms and your opportunities. For youth, that means putting a limit on your future. It’s no wonder that young offenders and their parents so often ask, “how long does a youth criminal record last?” In our Toronto Youth...
Usually, a youth criminal defence lawyer is hired by a parent of the child who is facing charges. At times this can lead to some confusion with parents as to whether it is them, or their child, that is the actual client. The child is the client. Most lawyers who work...
The public understanding of Toronto Criminal Youth Law is rampant with myths and misunderstandings. There are a lot of variables and exceptions that make each case a little different. To truly understand what you, or your child, is facing it’s best to speak with a...
The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) replaced the Young Offenders Act and built upon it’s best practices. The main goal of the act is the protection of society through crime prevention, meaningful consequences for youth that commit crime with an emphasis on...
The Canadian justice system treats young offenders with special considerations. As such, they require lawyers that understand these considerations and how they affect youths. Only an experienced youth criminal defence lawyer can stand up for the specific needs of...
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In Toronto, bail is only granted in exceptional circumstances for those who have outstanding murder charges. In order to be considered for bail, you and your proposed sureties must meet certain conditions set out by the court. If you are unable to meet these conditions, you may be required to...
Nobody wants to talk about the actual cost of sexual assault charges. Particularly when it comes to discussing the actual costs that serious sexual offences impose on the justice system. This is likely due, in part, to the fact that most people not involved in the criminal justice system don't...
What Is a Drug Recognition Expert? A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is a police officer trained to scientifically identify if a person's ability to operate motor vehicle is drug impaired by or impaired by alcohol. They are scientifically trained to determine if a person is driving under the...