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Youth Criminal Justice Act

We offer full representation before the Court of Quebec, Youth Division, for any type of criminal offense in which an adolescent is charged. Each service is personalized and delivered by a highly experienced team, headed by Me Parent, who has considerable expertise in this field.

After the first contact, a quick meeting will be arranged in our offices with Me Parent. She and her legal team will immediately take charge of your entire case, carrying out an in-depth analysis to assess the legality of the police intervention, the validity of the evidence gathered, and to identify the best defense strategies.

When to Contact Us

As soon as you or your teen receive a call from the police, it's important to consult with us to fully understand your teen's rights and determine the next steps to take, based on your case.

First of all, you'll need to determine whether or not the teenager is obliged to be interviewed by the police. If this is the case, we can advise you on the teenager's rights during this police encounter, including the right to silence and the right to be accompanied by a lawyer and/or parent during questioning.

An initial meeting can then be quickly arranged with our team to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and to explain the legal process.

Consequences of conditions to be met under a promise to purchase

A charge laid in the Youth Division may entail conditions that must be respected when the adolescent is released. It is important that the adolescent understand the conditions and the importance of respecting them, since failure to respect them may result in additional criminal charges.

The usual conditions are as follows

  • Communication ban

    You may be prohibited from communicating directly or indirectly with the complainant and witnesses in the case.

  • Compliance with strict conditions

    CeThis may include a curfew, restrictions on your movements, or a ban on frequenting certain places.

  • Prohibition of contact

    You may be prohibited from being in the physical presence of the plaintiff or witnesses in the case.

It is important to contact us as these conditions may need to be modified in special cases. For example, a police officer may release a teenager on condition that he or she is not at the complainant's place of study. If the complainant and the teenager attend the same school, a modification will have to be made to allow the teenager to continue his or her studies.

These conditions can severely limit your freedom during legal proceedings. Me Parent and his team are committed to helping you navigate these constraints, seeking to obtain the most favorable terms possible, or even to have them annulled.

Frequent Offenses

Our office handles all types of charges against adolescents. Certain offenses are much more frequent at the Chambre de la jeunesse. These include all offenses committed by means of technological communication: threats, harassment, intimidation, sharing of intimate images and production, distribution and possession of child pornography.

In addition to offenses committed by technological means, violent offenses (assault, assault causing bodily harm, threats and harassment) and sexual assault offenses are the most common offenses for which a teenager is charged.

Application of the Act

The Youth Criminal Justice Act applies to young people aged 12 to 17 who are charged with a criminal offense. Therefore, if your child is under 12, he or she cannot be charged with a criminal offense. In certain situations, however, the Act may apply to an adult who is charged with committing a criminal offense while under the age of majority. The adult will then be charged before the Youth Division, and the applicable law will be that applicable to adolescents.

Specific to the Youth Justice System

This type of case is heard by the Court of Quebec, Youth Division, a court that specializes in cases involving adolescents. This specialization is reflected in the judges and prosecutors assigned to this type of case. As a result, all those involved in the judicial process are made aware of the particular reality of a teenager facing criminal charges.

The judicial process is also different from that of an adult, since the age and maturity of the adolescent at the time of the alleged offense are taken into account. Penalties are also different from those imposed on adults, and alternative options are available.

Impact of a Conviction

Although the judicial process and possible sanctions differ from those of an adult, it is wrong to believe that a criminal conviction for an adolescent will leave no traces. On the contrary, there may be consequences that will follow the teenager into adulthood. Our team can help you understand the impact of a conviction and the various options available, such as the extrajudicial sanction program that may apply in different cases.

Extrajudicial Sanction

The Extrajudicial Sanctions program allows adolescents who complete it to have their charges dismissed. It does not apply to all offenses, and a case-by-case analysis, including the youth's profile, must be carried out by the prosecuting attorney to determine his or her eligibility for the program.

When a teenager is admitted to the program, he or she must complete a sanction in parallel with the criminal process, such as participating in an awareness group, making a donation, doing volunteer work or writing a letter of apology. Once this sanction is completed, the charges are dismissed, and the criminal prosecution ends. Our team will explain the process to you and do everything necessary to increase your teenager's chances of participating in the program.

Criminal Law Consultation Package

We recommend that you start with our consultation package, which will provide you with preliminary advice and a clear cost estimate for your case. This package includes one meeting, including:

  • Opening your file

  • A brief analysis of your situation and possible defenses

  • Recommendations to protect your rights

  • The possibility of assigning experienced investigators to gather additional evidence

  • A detailed explanation of the upcoming judicial process

  • Answers to all your questions and concerns

Court Representation Package

For any subsequent representation in court, we will propose a global package that covers all the services required to complete the analysis of your case and ensure your defense. This package includes:

  • A thorough analysis of all evidence and documents

  • Preparing your defense, including consultations with experts, if necessary

  • Drafting and submission of all legal documents

  • Your complete representation in court

  • Regular follow-up to keep you informed of the progress of your case

Contact us to obtain an accurate estimate of the costs related to your situation
Quick Consultation Request
819-210-7864

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

    The benefits of doing business with us

    • Meeting with your lawyer from day one
    • Advantageous flat rate
    • Extensive network of technical experts
    • 24 hr emergency line

    Advantages of entrusting us with your case

    • Avoid the loss of your driver's license
    • Avoid demerit points
    • Avoid a conviction
    • Avoid a criminal record

    Flat rate

    • No surprises
    • Advantageous and competitive rates
    • Based on the mandate
    • Possible payment Agreement

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    We are here for you, and we look forward to your visit!

    Your cases will be handled directly by Me Gagnon and Me Parent, ensuring personalized attention without intermediaries. Administrative follow-up is managed by our assistant, Mrs. Chantal Lefebvre.

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