Young Offenders Act (Canada)

The Young Offenders Act (YOA), enacted in Canada in 1984 and replaced by the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003, aimed to address youth crime with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. It recognized that young people, aged 12 to 17, have different needs and capacities compared to adults. The YOA provided a legal framework to handle youth offenses while considering their development and social circumstances. It emphasized accountability, but also aimed to reintegrate young offenders into society, ensuring they received support and guidance to prevent future criminal behavior.