The Edmonton Youth Justice Committee Society is an authorized provider of the Extra Judicial Sanctions program.
The Extrajudicial Sanctions Program is an alternative to the court system for young people aged 12 – 17 who have committed an offence. The Police or Crown Attorney can utilize the Extrajudicial Sanctions Program when a warning, caution, or referral is thought to be inadequate to deal with a young person because of the seriousness of the crime, the nature and number of previous offences, or any other factors. While holding the youth accountable for their actions, the Police and Crown Attorney respond to youth in the least intrusive manner as directed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Young people are referred to the Extrajudicial Sanctions when they have committed an offence, accept responsibility for their actions, and agree to participate in the program.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act also states that victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity and privacy and should suffer the minimum degree of inconvenience as a result of their involvement with the youth criminal justice system. It also states that victims (harmed persons) should be provided with information about the proceedings and given an opportunity to participate and be heard.
The Edmonton Youth Justice Committee Society is made up of citizens who are trained in administering the Extrajudicial Sanctions Program and live or work in the community where the youth lives. They volunteer to work with young people in conflict with the law, as well as their families, victims, the legal system and the community, to find appropriate, meaningful sanctions for the youth. We use a restorative justice circle process.
When a file is received by us a letter is sent to the youth, and their guardian(s). Someone from one of our sites will contact the victim/harmed person to explain the process and invite the victim to the circle. They will also inform the victim/harmed about their rights to express to the youth how the crime has affected them through a written or verbal Victim's/Harmed Person's Impact Statement.
It is very meaningful and beneficial to have the harmed person's involvement in the circle.
