Are you the subject of a report to youth protection (DPJ)? Here are the essential steps to take

A report to Youth Protection (DPJ) is a formal declaration made when someone believes a child’s safety or development is at risk. The report can come from a professional (such as a teacher, doctor, etc.) or any citizen. Once received, the DPJ team conducts a preliminary assessment to determine if a deeper investigation is necessary.

Contrary to what many believe, a report does not automatically mean you are a bad parent or that your child will be taken away. It’s a legal process designed first and foremost to verify facts and protect the child if needed. Understanding this process from the start helps avoid misunderstandings — and ensures you respond properly.

What Happens After a Report

Once a report is deemed admissible, the DPJ launches an assessment phase. The caseworker will typically meet with the parents, the child, and sometimes other family or community members. The goal is to evaluate whether intervention is needed. During this phase, collaboration is important — but it must be done carefully.

What you say or sign can have legal consequences. That’s why we strongly recommend consulting a lawyer before any meeting. You may also be offered “voluntary measures.” While these may sound harmless, they are in fact contracts that carry serious obligations. It’s crucial to understand the implications before accepting anything.

How to prepare if you’re targeted

If you learn that you are the subject of a report or the DPJ contacts you, here’s what you should do immediately:

Don’t panic. The first reaction is often emotional, but staying calm is key.
Don’t sign anything without consulting a lawyer. Even so-called voluntary measures can have lasting impacts.
Take notes. Write down dates, names of the caseworkers, conversations, and any documents provided.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. They can accompany you to meetings, help prepare your responses, and ensure your rights are protected at every stage.

While cooperation can be helpful, it must be carefully managed. Being properly prepared helps you regain control from the very start.

How we can help you

As soon as a report is accepted or a DPJ worker contacts you, our team can step in so you’re never left facing the system alone. We take charge of your file quickly, guiding you step by step with clear explanations and without judgment. Here’s what we can do to support you:

Early analysis of your file
Preparation for meetings with the DPJ
Guidance regarding proposed measures
Representation before the court

We are here to offer you a defense that is human, thorough, and adapted to your family’s reality.

Our Recent Successes

Over the years, Me Gagnon and his team have achieved remarkable results in defending against drunk driving charges. Here are some examples of our recent successes:

Assault and Acquittal

In an assault case, Me Gagnon and his team established an alibi defence by interviewing witnesses and gathering video footage and text messages. This work allowed them to reconstruct the events and demonstrate, through independent evidence, that the client could not have been at the scene at the time of the alleged incident. In light of this evidence, the Crown consented to the client's acquittal, allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction.

Impaired Driving and Withdrawal of Charges

In an impaired driving case, Me Gagnon reviewed the police intervention and demonstrated that his client's right to counsel had been violated. Following the client's arrest at a roadside checkpoint, the police did not prioritize transporting him to the station, delaying the exercise of his right to consult a lawyer. The defence's arguments led to the withdrawal of the charges because of this violation of his constitutional rights. As a result, the client avoided a criminal conviction in this case.

Theft and Diversion

Following two theft charges, Me Gagnon and his team directed their client to therapeutic resources suited to his circumstances. Beyond the legal defence, this support contributed to a remarkable turnaround in the client's life. The defence documented the steps the client had taken and presented his progress to the Crown. In light of these results, the Crown agreed to have the case handled through a diversion program, favouring an approach focused on rehabilitation.

Robbery and Alternative Measures

In a robbery case, Me Gagnon and his team demonstrated that post-traumatic stress disorder related to the client's past experiences had affected his behaviour during the incident. By highlighting these factors, the defence helped the Crown better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and the client's personal situation. These efforts led to the charge being reduced from robbery to theft and the case being handled through the alternative measures program, an outcome suited to the client's circumstances.

Sexual Assault and Acquittal

In a sexual assault case, the investigative efforts of Me Gagnon and his team led to the identification and location of a key defence witness. The witness's testimony demonstrated that the events described could not have occurred in the alleged circumstances. Presented at trial, this evidence provided concrete support for the client's defence. The client was acquitted, avoiding a criminal conviction.

Domestic Harassment and Acquittal Without Trial

In a domestic harassment case, Me Gagnon and his team reviewed emails and text messages and interviewed witnesses to the incident. This work allowed them to present evidence favourable to the defence to the Crown and secure a resolution without trial. The Crown agreed to a peace bond and requested the client's acquittal, allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction.

Care or Control of a Vehicle and Acquittal

In a case involving the care or control of a vehicle while impaired, the client had fallen asleep in his vehicle while waiting for a taxi on a particularly cold winter evening during the holiday season. Me Gagnon demonstrated that the circumstances presented no realistic risk of the vehicle being set in motion. The client was acquitted, avoiding both a criminal conviction and the driving prohibition that would have followed.

Repeated Speeding Violations and Closure of the CTQ Case

In a case referred to the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) because of repeated speeding violations, Me Gagnon and his team helped their client implement concrete corrective measures. A driver monitoring system, coupled with a disciplinary policy, was introduced, and the heavy vehicle fleet was reduced. These steps addressed the concerns raised and led to the case being closed without intervention by the Commission, allowing the client to continue operating.

Dismissal of Charges Due to Procedural Error

Through a meticulous analysis of the case, we demonstrated that our client's constitutional rights were violated during the police intervention, leading to the dismissal of the charges.

Complete Acquittal

In a complex case, our team proved that the equipment used to measure blood alcohol levels was possibly defective, resulting in our client's total acquittal.

Sentence Reduction

In several cases, we have succeeded in obtaining significant sentence reductions by demonstrating errors in breathalyzer tests or presenting convincing mitigating circumstances.

These successes reflect our commitment to vigorously defending our clients' rights and exploring all possible avenues to achieve the best outcome.

Advantages of Working with Us