Uncategorized
Can youth ever be sentenced as adults? How the law works in Canada
A 17-year-old teen has been charged in what Ontario Provincial Police are calling a “horrific” attack on an eight-year-old girl in eastern Ontario that police initially believed was done by an animal.
Police say it is a “miracle” that the girl survived the attack.
It has left some wondering on social media — can young offenders in Canada who are near the age of majority ever be prosecuted or sentenced as adults?
In Canada, those under 18 face charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act regardless of the crime, which also states that they cannot be named.
“We have a separate youth justice system because the law recognizes that young people have reduced moral blameworthiness,” said Voula Marinos, former director of Brock University’s forensic psychology and criminal justice program.
She’s also a professor of child and youth studies.
“They’re still changing in terms of their maturity. Emotionally they’re changing, developmentally they’re changing and we recognize that they, as a result, ought to be less criminally responsible than adults.”
The Act says sentencing for a youth must be the “least restrictive sentence” that will hold them accountable, while also promote his or her rehabilitation into society.
Under section 13 of the Criminal Code, no person shall be convicted of an offence nor can charges be laid on someone under the age of 12.
Can a youth be sentenced as an adult?
While youth cannot face trial as an adult, adult sentencing is possible for convicted youth if the crime was committed after they turned 14.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Justice for Children and Youth, which provides legal representation in Ontario, says an adult sentence can be laid against a child 14 to 17 if convicted for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or aggravated assault.
They can also face an adult sentence if convicted of an indictable offence or serious violent offence and the prosecutor applies for such a sentencing, or if found guilty of committing a serious offence for the third time.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act says the person could be sentenced as an adult if they are or have been found guilty for a crime that would see an adult serve more than two years in prison.
What goes into that decision?
According to the Act, after a youth is found guilty but before sentencing, the Crown may make an application to the youth justice court for the youth to face an adult sentence.
The court will hold a hearing for arguments to be heard and then rule on the issue.
The judge would also look at various factors including the seriousness and circumstances of the offence, the person’s age, background and criminal record.
An adult sentence would be imposed if, as laid out by the Act, it’s deemed a youth sentence would “not be of sufficient length” to hold the young person accountable.
But Marinos said even a murder charge against a youth doesn’t automatically mean an adult sentence is sought.
“It may be that by the time the young person has been found guilty and sentencing is to take place, that perhaps the young person has made a lot of changes already and the court recognizes that they’re moving in the right direction,” she said.
Youth given an adult sentence can ask their lawyer about a potential appeal.
What could sentencing look like?
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, sentences for youth are different than the sentences for adults.
Unlike an adult being sentenced for first-degree murder who could face life in prison, for example, a young person could face no more than 10 years.
If a youth is convicted as an adult for the same charge, they could face life in prison if adult sentencing is allowed in their case.
Should a convicted youth be sentenced as an adult, they would likely be placed in a youth facility until they become an adult at which point they’d be sent to an adult facility.
Justice for Children and Youth says at the age of 18, a judge must order the remainder of a sentence be served in an adult facility unless it’s deemed not in their best interest and “would not jeopardize the safety of others.”
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
TORONTO – Myles Straw’s timing to have a career game was perfect.
The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder was in the mix to lose his roster spot with the return of George Springer before the Blue Jays throttled the Texas Rangers 14-2 on Saturday.
But with Springer back after missing 15 games with a concussion, the Blue Jays instead optioned 26-year-old Joey Loperfido to triple-A Buffalo. The 30-year-old Straw would have had to clear waivers.
With a new skinny bat compared to the thicker torpedo bat he had been employing, Straw pounded a three-run homer in the second inning and followed with a two-run blast in the same left-field area in the third for his first multihomer outing and a career-high five RBIs.
“This team is great,” Straw said. “The roster is great. Joey’s been doing phenomenal. I don’t think he could have been doing any better.
“I think there’s a really good chance he’ll probably be back with us as soon as the rosters expand (in September). He’s played his butt off, and he’s earned every single bit of being here.”
Related Videos
Straw added two singles to lead the Blue Jays’ 18-hit attack with a 4-for-5 game. His play overshadowed Springer’s return.
Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
The 42,686 fans at Rogers Centre welcomed back Springer with a rousing ovation, leading off the bottom of the first as the Blue Jays’ designated hitter.
Springer struck out in his first two at-bats and then legged out an infield hit on a bouncer to third base before being hit by a pitch from position player Rowdy Tellez, who took to the mound for the final two innings.
“Seeing him hauling (his behind) down the line, it’s just who he is. He sets the tone for us,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.
There was some rust on Springer’s game, despite his rehab start in Buffalo on Friday, his first game since July 28, after a fastball from Baltimore Orioles Kade Strowd concussed him.
The 35-year-old Springer homered in the second of his three at-bats on Friday.
“It was really cool to hear the fans before his first at-bat,” Schneider said. “It’s just a good feeling having him back with his presence, his ability, his personality.”
Schneider also felt good about witnessing Straw’s performance.
“I remember in spring training, we had him in Group B with some of the younger guys in camp,” Schneider said. “He handled that well and just did his thing.
“He’s a pretty integral part of the clubhouse. He’s kind of tight with everybody. He understands the role that we’re asking him to play, and he’s playing it really well.”
Schneider called Straw “a winning baseball player.” He has played on winning teams, such as the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians.
The Astros drafted Straw, and he arrived in Toronto from Cleveland in an off-season trade.
“It feels the exact same,” said Straw when asked about the similarities to the Houston championship teams. “We’re winning. That’s what they did over there at the time, and that’s what we’re doing here.
“I feel like we win a lot of baseball games, which we do, and that’s how you win a world championship. You win games.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
TORONTO – Myles Straw followed an early three-run homer with a two-run shot for his first career multihomer game as the Toronto Blue Jays throttled the Texas Rangers 14-2 on Saturday.
Straw ignited a six-run second inning with his three-run homer to left field and smashed his two-run blast to the same area in the third as the Blue Jays (73-51) won their third straight before 42,686 at Rogers Centre.
Straw added to his five RBI outing with two more singles to lead Toronto’s 18-hit attack with a 4 for 5 day.
Bo Bichette delivered a bases-loaded two-run double in the second, in which Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was thrown out at home trying to score from first base.
Related Videos
Daulton Varsho piled on with a two-run homer as part of a three-run fifth. He reached base four times with three hits and a walk.
Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
With position player Rowdy Tellez on to pitch in the seventh inning, Davis Schneider also picked up a third hit with a three-run homer to left field.
Eric Lauer (8-2) left after walking the leadoff hitter in the sixth. His pitch count reached a season-high 102. He yielded a third-inning run on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
Texas lefty Patrick Corbin (6-9) departed after 2 1/3 innings, having given up seven runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Takeaways
Rangers: The Rangers (61-63) have lost four in a row.
Blue Jays: George Springer returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with a concussion. Batting leadoff in the designated hitter spot, he went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts, an infield hit and was hit by Tellez.
Key Moment
After committing a first-inning error on a fly ball, Schneider made a diving catch in left field in the fifth to take a possible run-scoring hit away from Jake Burger and end the inning.
Key Stat
Bichette’s two-run second-inning hit to the right-field gap was his 36th double to move him two behind AL leader Bobby Witt of the Kansas City Royals.
Up Next
Jose Berrios (9-4) will face Texas ace Nathan Eovaldi (10-3) in the series finale on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk’s late-game heroics resulted in three deafening ovations from the 42,260 inside the Rogers Centre on Friday.
The first roar arrived in the seventh inning when the Toronto Blue Jays catcher smacked an opposite-field two-run homer to right.
The next inning, the sellout crowd cheered as Kirk delivered a bases-loaded single to left field to score the game-tying and game-winning runs.
But the most thunderous praise from the faithful came when Kirk caught the Texas Rangers by surprise and stole his first career base.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Kirk said through an interpreter after the 6-5 win. “Then I turned around and saw myself (standing at second base) on the scoreboard.”
The Blue Jays celebrated along with their low-key teammate’s first stolen base. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled the base out of the ground and presented Kirk with the keepsake.
Related Videos
Kirk stated the memento will soon be on display in his home. He also admitted he was surprised when first-base coach Mark Budzinski told him to steal second.
Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
“I looked around and said, ‘Are you serious?’” Kirk said.
Budzinski was serious. Kirk made history. He was holding on to the base during his post-game interview.
“The fact that he was holding it on the field post-game is even better,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I think they’re authenticating it.”
Although Toronto starter Chris Bassitt endured a difficult outing, lasting only five innings and giving up an early three-run homer, his night ended on a high note, watching his battery mate’s late-game wizardry.
“He’s catching (all-time base stealing leader) Rickey (Henderson) slowly,” Bassitt said with a smile.
Kirk hit his homer with an 0-1 count and his single with a 1-2 count.
“Kirk, the hitter, is pretty hard to face,” Bassitt said. “So I hate to say it, but I expect it from him. There are not many guys on our team that I’d rather have up than him because he can do damage with any kind of pitch.
“I’m always happy when he’s up late in big situations.”
This was the American League East-leading Blue Jays’ 39th comeback win of the season, and second in as many games after Guerrero belted a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
“I think the more you do it, the more comfortable you are when you’re in that situation,” Schneider said. “It’s not luck. It’s hard to do, but like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it.”
Springer, Bieber updates
George Springer homered in the second of three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday and could return to the Blue Jays lineup on Saturday.
Righty Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches.
Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week, likely on the road against the Miami Marlins next Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
-
Uncategorized2 months agoAccording to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season