If a person is over 18 but committed an offense at 17, will they still fall under the YCJA?

A person who was 17 at the time of committing an offense falls under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) regardless of their age at the time of the trial or the outcome. The YCJA is designed to apply to individuals who are between the ages of 12 and 17 when the offense occurs. Therefore, if the offense was committed while the individual was still considered a youth under this legislation, they are entitled to the protections and processes outlined in the YCJA. This includes considerations for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, rather than purely punitive measures.

This principle is fundamental to the YCJA’s focus on addressing youth crime in a way that recognizes their developmental stage and potential for change. Thus, it remains relevant that the offense occurred when the individual was under 18, and the timing of later events does not alter that initial categorization.