NCJ Number
109419
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1988) Pages: 17-29
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Recent reforms in juvenile justice have emphasized legal due process. The justice movement began in the United States in the latter 1960's and moved to Canada by 1984, at which time Canadian reform in juvenile justice legislation was formalized in the Young Offender's Act.
Abstract
Among the amendments in this new legislation was the raising of the age of criminal responsibility from seven to twelve years of age. This reform has been met with considerable debate. Data are presented in this study on a group of seven to eleven year olds who were assessed by the Family Court Clinic which reflects the profiles of this group and their involvement in offending behavior. Discussion provides several perspectives on whether the problems of this offending age group are better dealt with by child welfare or juvenile justice authorities. (Author abstract)