Youth Criminal Defence Lawyers in London, Ontario
If your son or daughter has been charged with a crime, you’re probably scared, angry, and full of questions — all at the same time. Take a breath. The youth justice system in Canada is built differently from the adult system, and with the right lawyer, one mistake does not have to define your child’s future.
Dominion Criminal Defence represents young people and their families across London, Kitchener, Brantford, Guelph, Woodstock, and Cambridge. Consultations are free and confidential, and our urgent line is answered 24/7. Call or text (226) 984-7637.
How Youth Criminal Law Works in Canada
In Canada, young people aged 12 to 17 who are charged with a crime are dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), a federal law that prioritizes rehabilitation, accountability, and privacy over punishment.
The YCJA recognizes that teenagers are still developing and deserve a real chance to move past a mistake. Sentences focus on reform rather than jail, a young person’s identity is protected from publication, and youth records are handled very differently from adult criminal records.
Your Child Has Extra Rights — Make Sure They're Protected
Young people have enhanced legal protections that adults don’t. Before police can take a statement from a youth, they must clearly explain the young person’s rights in language they understand, and the youth has the right to speak with a lawyer and a parent — and to have them present during questioning. Statements taken without following these rules can be thrown out of court.
This is why the single most important thing you can do right now is simple: make sure your child doesn’t give a statement before speaking with a lawyer. Police may seem friendly, and your child may want to “explain everything” — but early statements are one of the most common ways cases go wrong. Our First Time Charged? page explains what happens after an arrest.
How Youth Criminal Law Works in Canada
Most youth cases never end in custody. Depending on the charge and circumstances, outcomes can include:
Extrajudicial measures and sanctions
warnings, community programs, or other steps that resolve the matter outside of court entirely.
Reprimand or discharge
formal outcomes that end the case with minimal lasting consequences.
Probation
conditions such as counselling, curfews, or community involvement.
Custody
reserved for the most serious offences, and always paired with supervision and reintegration planning.
Our goal in every youth case is the least intrusive outcome available — ideally one that keeps your child out of court, and out of the record books, altogether.
Youth Records: What Parents Need to Know
A youth record is not the same as an adult criminal record, but it isn't nothing, either. Youth records can be accessed by police, courts, and certain agencies for a set period of time, and in limited situations they can affect things like travel or later sentencing. The good news: once the access period ends and your child stays out of trouble, the record is sealed. A lawyer can explain exactly how the access periods apply to your child's situation.
How Dominion Criminal Defence Helps Your Family
From the first free consultation, a lawyer sits down with you and your child, explains the process in plain language, and answers the questions keeping you up at night. We review every piece of the Crown's evidence, protect your child's rights at every stage, and pursue the outcome that best protects their future — school, work, travel, and everything after.
FAQS
Common Questions About Youth Criminal Law
What is the Youth Criminal Justice Act?
The YCJA is the federal law governing how Canadians aged 12 to 17 are dealt with when charged with a crime. It emphasizes rehabilitation, privacy, and proportionate consequences rather than punishment.
What ages does youth criminal law cover?
Young people who were 12 to 17 years old at the time of the alleged offence. Children under 12 cannot be charged criminally in Canada.
Will my child get a criminal record?
Youth records are different from adult criminal records. They’re accessible only for set periods, after which they’re sealed — provided there are no further offences. Many youth matters resolve without any record at all.
Can my child's name be published in the news?
No. The YCJA prohibits publishing information that would identify a young person charged with a crime, with only rare exceptions for the most serious cases.
Can police question my child without me there?
Your child has the right to have a parent and a lawyer present before giving any statement, and police must explain those rights in age-appropriate language. Statements taken improperly can be excluded from evidence.
What are extrajudicial sanctions?
Programs that resolve a charge outside the formal court process — things like community service, counselling, or restitution. Completing them typically ends the matter without a finding of guilt.
Can a youth be sentenced as an adult?
Only in exceptional cases. The Crown can apply for an adult sentence for the most serious offences committed by youth 14 or older, but the youth system’s protections apply by default.
My child is innocent — do we still need a lawyer?
Yes. Innocent people can be convicted, and the youth court process has rules and deadlines that are easy to get wrong. A lawyer protects your child’s rights from day one.
How much does a youth criminal lawyer cost?
It depends on the charge and how the case proceeds — but your first consultation with us is free, and we’ll explain your options clearly, including whether your family may qualify for Legal Aid Ontario support.
Speak With a Criminal Defence Lawyer Today — It’s Free
If you or someone you love has been charged with a criminal offence in London, Kitchener, Brantford, Guelph, or anywhere in Southwestern Ontario, don’t wait. The sooner you have legal advice, the better.
Call or text our 24/7 urgent line at 226-984-7637, or fill in the contact form below. Your first consultation is free and confidential.