Youth justice in Canada

Last updated on June 3, 2021

Youth involved in the criminal justice system are handled differently than adults. Special federal legislation – the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) - applies to people who were 12 to 17 at the time the alleged crime took place. 
 
This section provides information about the youth criminal justice system, including:

Jury Duty

A jury is a group of people who decide if an accused person in a criminal trial is guilty or if a claim in a civil trial has been proven. Learn more about jury duty.

Criminal Justice Glossary

Check our alphabetical list of criminal justice terms along with their definitions.