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This enactment will amend the Young Offenders Act to achieve a
number of objectives, including:
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reinforcing the principle that reasonable force may be used to
discipline young persons by those with authority over them, so as to
minimize the use of law enforcement procedures;
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establishing the principles that
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consideration should always be given to dealing with non-violent
incidents by informal means; and
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informal settings should be used for procedures under the Act
where appropriate;
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making the Act applicable only to those under 16 years of age;
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lowering the minimum age to which it relates from 12 to 10 years;
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making the protection of society and safety of others the first purpose
of the law respecting young offenders;
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increasing the time to be served before a reduced disposition may be
considered;
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establishing a victim's right to be informed of each stage of
proceedings and to make an impact statement to youth court;
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requiring consideration of victims' views on proposed alternative
measures;
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allowing a group representing a community that is particularly
affected by a young offender to make a recommendation as to what
disposition should be made with respect to a young offender;
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requiring youths of the age of 14 and 15 years who are charged with
violent offences to be tried in adult court but not other young
offenders;
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requiring those convicted of violent offences to be kept in closed
custody;
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requiring a period of at least 6 months probation after any sentence
of closed custody;
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allowing for longer periods of probation;
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allowing for a young person who commits a violent offence to be
subject to an application under the Criminal Code and if a pattern of
repetitive behaviour is shown, to be designated a dangerous
offender;
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establishing standards to be set by the Attorney General for
alternative measures;
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restricting ``placement in care'' to cases other than violent offences;
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removing the privacy provisions for young offenders convicted of
violent offences so as to protect the public and also to allow a judge
sentencing a person to be provided with any record of conviction of
the person as a young person;
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requiring parents to appear at all court proceedings.
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