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Difference between revisions of "Young People and the Law"
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*the child goes to a private school, | *the child goes to a private school, | ||
*the child is at home studying lessons approved by the government, or | *the child is at home studying lessons approved by the government, or | ||
*the child is sick and | *the child is sick and can't go to school or there is some other good reason. | ||
==Working == | ==Working == | ||
Children under 15 years of age may not work during school hours. They are not usually allowed to work at other times. A child under 15 | Children under 15 years of age may not work during school hours. They are not usually allowed to work at other times. A child under 15 can't work without special permission from the government. But children are allowed to do jobs such as babysitting to earn pocket money or to help their families. Children 15 and over can work. They have the same laws to protect them as adult workers. | ||
==Getting married== | ==Getting married== | ||
People 19 years old or older can marry. Young people between 16 and 19 can marry if their parents agree. Young people under 16 usually | People 19 years old or older can marry. Young people between 16 and 19 can marry if their parents agree. Young people under 16 usually can't get married. They have to go to court and ask the judge for ''permission'' to marry. The judge will only agree if he or she thinks this is good for them. | ||
==Young people and criminal law== | ==Young people and criminal law== | ||
Sometimes children break the law. A child steals something, or <span class="noglossary">damages</span> someone else's property. What will happen? | Sometimes children break the law. A child steals something, or <span class="noglossary">damages</span> someone else's property. What will happen? | ||
The law says children under 12 years old | The law says children under 12 years old can't be arrested or taken to court. If the police catch children younger than 12 doing something wrong, they take them home and tell their parents. The parents may get help at school or in the community. | ||
The Canadian justice system recognizes that youth crime and adult crime need to be dealt with differently. There is a special law for children from 12 to 17 years old. It is called the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/7vx2 Youth Criminal Justice Act]''. This law says: | The Canadian justice system recognizes that youth crime and adult crime need to be dealt with differently. There is a special law for children from 12 to 17 years old. It is called the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/7vx2 Youth Criminal Justice Act]''. This law says: | ||
*People have the right to be protected from young | *People have the right to be protected from young people's crimes. | ||
* Young people who break the law need to understand that what they did caused harm to the community. They need help to learn how to stay out of trouble and to contribute to the community in a positive way. | * Young people who break the law need to understand that what they did caused harm to the community. They need help to learn how to stay out of trouble and to contribute to the community in a positive way. | ||
* Young people have the same legal rights as adults. The police have to tell young people about their rights and explain what is happening to them. | * Young people have the same legal rights as adults. The police have to tell young people about their rights and explain what is happening to them. | ||
* Young people | * Young people don't go to the same court as adults. There is a special youth court. The judge in youth court will make sure young people get a lawyer. | ||
* People 18 years old or older who break the law are adults and have to go to adult court. | * People 18 years old or older who break the law are adults and have to go to adult court. | ||
==What happens to youth who commit a crime == | ===What happens to youth who commit a crime === | ||
The first time a young person aged 12 to 17 years does something wrong, he or she will not usually have to go to court. The young person may get help from a local community group. | The first time a young person aged 12 to 17 years does something wrong, he or she will not usually have to go to court. The young person may get help from a local community group. | ||
Maybe | Maybe it's not the first time a young person has been in trouble. Or maybe it is something more serious. Maybe the young person had a weapon such as a knife or gun. Then he or she will have to go to youth court. | ||
If the judge at the court decides the young person is guilty, the youth is called a young offender. The youth will have a youth record. | If the judge at the court decides the young person is guilty, the youth is called a young offender. The youth will have a youth record. | ||
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In most cases the name of the youth who broke the law is not made public. However, in some cases it may be made public, such as when the youth is given an adult sentence for a serious offence. | In most cases the name of the youth who broke the law is not made public. However, in some cases it may be made public, such as when the youth is given an adult sentence for a serious offence. | ||
==Young people and gangs == | |||
Some young people join gangs. A gang is a group of people who break the law. Some gangs look for young immigrants who | ===Young people and gangs === | ||
Some young people join gangs. A gang is a group of people who break the law. Some gangs look for young immigrants who don't speak English. They look for someone who has few friends and not much money. | |||
At first, the gang members are good to the young people. They introduce them to new friends. Then they ask them to do something for the gang, such as stealing something. | At first, the gang members are good to the young people. They introduce them to new friends. Then they ask them to do something for the gang, such as stealing something. | ||
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Often, young people are afraid to say no or to leave the gang. They are afraid the gang will hurt them or their family. | Often, young people are afraid to say no or to leave the gang. They are afraid the gang will hurt them or their family. | ||
Engaging Parents for Safer Youth is a project aimed at providing information to parents about youth and gangs. To download the Steering Kids Away From Gangs booklet, visit | Engaging Parents for Safer Youth is a project aimed at providing information to parents about youth and gangs. To download the ''Steering Kids Away From Gangs'' booklet, visit | ||
[http://www.vsb.bc.ca/steering-kids-away-gangs www.vsb.bc.ca/steering-kids-away-gangs]. | [http://www.vsb.bc.ca/steering-kids-away-gangs www.vsb.bc.ca/steering-kids-away-gangs]. | ||
== Rules about driving == | == Rules about driving == | ||
Young people over 16 years old can get a | |||
Young people over 16 years old can get a driver's licence if they pass the tests. Parents have to apply for the licence for someone under 19. If young people under 18 years old get a car, they can't register or get licence plates for it unless their parents sign the papers. | |||
A young person driving a car has the same responsibilities as an adult. For more information about driving in BC see ''[[Driving in BC Wikibook |Driving in BC]]'' or visit ICBC at [http://www.icbc.com www.icbc.com]. | A young person driving a car has the same responsibilities as an adult. For more information about driving in BC see ''[[Driving in BC Wikibook |Driving in BC]]'' or visit ICBC at [http://www.icbc.com www.icbc.com]. | ||
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Some community agencies offer parenting classes in other languages. Parenting classes can help parents to solve the special problems of raising children in a new country. | Some community agencies offer parenting classes in other languages. Parenting classes can help parents to solve the special problems of raising children in a new country. | ||
<blockquote>'''For example '''- children usually learn new '''customs''' faster than their parents. Children also have a lot of pressure from kids at school to be more “Canadian.” Parents may feel that their children are behaving badly. They may worry that their children | <blockquote>'''For example '''- children usually learn new '''customs''' faster than their parents. Children also have a lot of pressure from kids at school to be more “Canadian.” Parents may feel that their children are behaving badly. They may worry that their children don't respect them anymore. </blockquote> | ||
Many community agencies give information and advice. People can call these agencies when they have a problem and they | Many community agencies give information and advice. People can call these agencies when they have a problem and they don't know where to go for help. Workers at the agencies can help them find the right place to go. | ||
There are also parenting programs in English and other languages on TV and radio. For more information about parenting classes contact your nearest community centre or visit [http://www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parenting.aspx www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parenting.aspx]. | There are also parenting programs in English and other languages on TV and radio. For more information about parenting classes contact your nearest community centre or visit [http://www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parenting.aspx www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parenting.aspx]. | ||
==Helpline for Children== | ==Helpline for Children== | ||
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If you know a family where a child or youth is being hurt, or if you are afraid you may hurt a child, call the Helpline. Your call is '''confidential'''. | If you know a family where a child or youth is being hurt, or if you are afraid you may hurt a child, call the Helpline. Your call is '''confidential'''. | ||
*You can call the Helpline, at 310-1234, from anywhere in BC. '''No area code''' is required. | *You can call the Helpline, at 310-1234, from anywhere in BC. '''No area code''' is required. | ||
*If you are calling from a pay-phone, call the operator “0.” This is a '''free call'''. You | *If you are calling from a pay-phone, call the operator “0.” This is a '''free call'''. You don't need to pay. It will not show up on your phone bill. | ||
==Youth Against Violence Phone Line == | ==Youth Against Violence Phone Line == | ||
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They also help students choose school subjects and give advice about what to do when they finish school. | They also help students choose school subjects and give advice about what to do when they finish school. | ||
Many elementary schools and high schools have home-school workers. Sometimes parents want to find out about their | Many elementary schools and high schools have home-school workers. Sometimes parents want to find out about their child's school or what their child does there. Parents can talk to a home-school worker. | ||
If you are worried about your children, talk to one of these people. Some school districts in BC have multicultural workers, or settlement workers who visit a school. | If you are worried about your children, talk to one of these people. Some school districts in BC have multicultural workers, or settlement workers who visit a school. | ||