Youth Deserve a Second Chance: Our Criminal Lawyer Fights For It

Teens facing first-time and less serious offences may avoid a criminal record through diversion or other programs under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. A youth criminal lawyer can push for these options early in the case.

One of the most common programs is Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS). Conditions might include community service, counselling, a written apology, or other steps. If completed successfully, the charges are usually withdrawn—meaning no criminal record.

The first court appearance is administrative—no evidence is argued, and no trial takes place. It’s administrative in nature. Behind the scenes, your lawyer will be reviewing disclosure, meeting with the Crown, and preparing your teen’s defence.

Cases are usually adjourned for about 12 weeks to allow this work to take place in the background. In Brampton, youth matters are often heard in Courtroom 204, either in person or by Zoom. If it’s virtual, you can join using this link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/65938982880?20pwd=Rlhp20KzVwN2pPN3o5bmhZSXlkSnc4QT09

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the system is designed to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. That means there are more opportunities to resolve charges early—especially for first-time offenders. Charges can be withdrawn based on the seriousness of the offence, the youth’s history, the strength of the evidence, or public interest. In Peel Region, the Crown may drop charges if there’s no reasonable prospect of conviction, or if alternatives like diversion are more appropriate. A youth criminal lawyer can help push for these outcomes by leveraging the protections and principles built into the YCJA.

The timeline for a criminal case headed toward resolution is typically shorter than a matter proceeding to trial. In many cases, if the issue is resolvable, a resolution may be reached in approximately six months.

One of the most common causes of delay in criminal cases is waiting for disclosure from the Crown. At the Brampton Courthouse, it generally takes approximately three months from the date of arrest to receive disclosure. Once disclosure is obtained, the case usually moves forward at a much faster pace.

We understand how stressful and urgent these delays can feel. Our criminal lawyer is proactive in pushing for timely disclosure and works diligently to move your file forward as efficiently as the justice system allows.

While you have a legal right to receive disclosure from the Crown, issues often arise with sensitive evidence, particularly in domestic-related cases. The Crown will not release certain materials, such as a complainant’s video statement, directly to a self-represented accused. Instead, you must schedule an appointment to view this evidence in person at the Crown Attorney’s office. Disclosure-related communication for Brampton is typically handled through virtualcrownbrampton@ontario.ca.

If you are self-represented, you may also attend in person to request disclosure or arrange viewing of sensitive materials at the Crown Attorney’s office located on the fifth floor, 7755 Hurontario Street, Brampton.

When you retain our firm, all disclosure—including sensitive materials—is provided directly to us under a professional undertaking. This allows your defence to be built with immediate and complete access to the evidence, without unnecessary delays.

Our role goes far beyond simply receiving disclosure. We perform a detailed legal analysis of the entire disclosure package to:

• Identify weaknesses in the Crown’s case

• Detect potential Charter violations

• Develop a strong and strategic defence tailored to your situation

This comprehensive approach ensures your rights are protected and your case moves forward efficiently.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, your child has the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer in private before any questioning. They also have the right to have a parent or another adult present during police interviews. Your lawyer can contact police on your behalf to find out what’s happening—whether it’s just questioning or if charges are likely. If needed, they can help arrange a voluntary surrender and work to secure your child’s release.

Talking to police without legal guidance can seriously hurt your child’s case—even if they didn’t do anything wrong.