The rights of adolescents in detention

This article deals with the protections offered to young people aged 12 to 17 in the face of criminal justice.

Young people accused of a crime in Canada are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This law provides age-appropriate, rehabilitative measures. A young person can only be detained if necessary and must be informed of their rights in understandable language. They also have the right to a lawyer and the presence of a trusted adult.