Even though a different act governs the prosecution of youths, all crimes in the Criminal Code are applicable to young offenders. Involving one of our Edmonton youth offence lawyers early in the case can:

  • Provide legal guidance.
  • Protect your rights.
  • Work to prevent criminal penalties.
  • Target fair outcomes that support your future, not just punish your past.

Our team has worked on youth offences in Edmonton for a decade, earning:

  • The Consumer Choice Award (2025, 2026).
  • Over 140 5-star Google reviews.
  • A+ rating from BBB.

Our team advocates with investigators, law enforcement, and prosecutors for non-criminal sanctions wherever possible.

Accused of a youth offence? Protect your future with these steps:

  1. Don’t say anything or give a statement: Politely inform the Edmonton police that you’d like to speak to a lawyer and your parents (this is your legal right).
  2. Do not destroy any evidence: Keep all messages, photos, social media posts, or any other material related to the incident.
  3. Call a youth offence lawyer: Discuss the details of your case with your lawyer and follow their directions.
  4. Do not contact the complainant or any witnesses. All communication should go through your lawyer.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Testimonials

“Professional, respectful, and compassionate”

“I had the opportunity to work with Ahmed Haroon to handle a legal matter for my family, and right off the bat, I found him to be extremely professional, respectful, and compassionate throughout the process. He was patient, understanding, and always communicated clearly.”

K.M.

“Made a stressful situation much easier to navigate”

“I cannot recommend Ahmed Haroon enough. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with. He acted quickly and made a stressful situation much easier to navigate. I’m very thankful for the result and would highly recommend his services.”

D.M.

What are youth offence charges, and how do we work to reduce their impact?

A youth can be arrested and charged for anything from mischief to murder. The charges are the same as for adults, but the YCJA recognizes that young offenders should be treated differently, with:

  • Extra protections, from bail to sentencing.
  • Measures that prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

Young people who take responsibility for their actions, especially for non-violent, first offences, can often avoid the court system entirely with a youth extrajudicial sanction.

Within the youth system:

  • There are no summary, indictable, or hybrid offences (the Criminal Code’s categories still apply to determine the maximum sentence available, but the youth system treats them differently).
  • There are no minimum sentences, except for the most serious crimes, for which an adult sentence applies.

Custody is a last resort under the YCJA, and our lawyers advocate for the least restrictive sanction. Options may include:

  • Warnings or police cautions.
  • Referrals to community programs.
  • Community service.
  • Paying back the victim.
  • Letters of apology.
  • Counselling programs.
  • Other punishments that don’t involve going to court.

Our youth offence lawyers advocate for the least severe sanctions to limit the impact on a youth’s future.

What happens when a youth is arrested in Edmonton?

If a youth is arrested in Edmonton, the police must consider whether the case can be settled without filing formal charges.

The earlier you involve a youth offence lawyer in the investigation, the more protection we can provide through pre-charge legal advice, which can often help to keep the case out of court.

After arresting you, the police must:

  1. Provide a tailored statement of rights, informing you of your rights, such as the right to remain silent, using language appropriate for your age and level of understanding (s. 146 of the YCJA).
  2. Notify a parent or guardian who can attend the police questioning with you.

If the police believe they have enough evidence to file formal charges, a report will be sent to the Crown Prosecutor, who will decide if the case should be handled within the court system or not.

How can we help with your release?

Youths accused of minor, non-violent offences with no previous record are usually released into their parents’ custody on an undertaking from the Edmonton police station handling their case.

For more serious or repeat offences:

  • You may be taken to the Edmonton Police Service’s Downtown Division at 9620 103A Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0H7.
  • If there is no other reasonable way to keep the public safe or make sure you appear in court, you will be held at the Edmonton Young Offender Centre (EYOC), 18621 127 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6V 1B1.

Under the YCJA, youths must be kept separate from adult detainees to protect their privacy and safety, and a parent or guardian must be informed of their whereabouts.

If necessary, a lawyer will visit you where you are held and start preparing for a bail hearing. We will represent you at the hearing. After your release, you will need to keep the peace and:

  • Attend all of your court dates.
  • Live with a court-approved adult (usually a parent or guardian).
  • Report to your assigned youth worker regularly.
  • Not contact any of the people who are victims or witnesses in your case.

You may also be required to:

  • Be home by a certain time (curfew).
  • Avoid certain places.
  • Attend school as required.

Where are youth cases heard in Edmonton?

Youth offence cases are usually heard in courtroom 444 in the Edmonton Courthouse. This courtroom is designated specifically to hear matters related to criminal youth offences. In Edmonton, Youth Court is held Monday through Friday, starting at 9.30 am.

How do we defend against youth offences?

In the vast majority of cases, youth offence charges will be resolved well before trial with an extrajudicial youth sanction or similar.

After reviewing the evidence against you, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will construct a defence based on one of the following arguments, depending on the specific charge:

DEFENCE HOW IT WORKS
Charter Breach — Right to Counsel (s. 10(b)) Police must advise a young person of their right to counsel and to a parent or adult. Failure to do so before questioning can result in any statement being excluded from evidence.
Charter Breach — Right to Silence (s. 7) Statements made without a parent, adult relative, or lawyer present are inadmissible under YCJA s. 146 unless the young person waived that right in writing.
Lack of Intent (Mens Rea) The Crown must prove the young person had the required mental intent. Youth, immaturity, or neurodevelopmental factors such as ADHD can make this harder to establish.
Identity / Alibi The Crown cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this young person committed the offence — particularly relevant in group arrests.
Unlawful Search (s. 8) Evidence from an unlawful search of a phone, locker, or bag — including school searches by principals — may be excluded. The lawful search standard in schools differs from adult settings but is not unlimited.
Entrapment Police induced the young person to commit an offence they would not otherwise have committed — common in undercover online investigations.
Extrajudicial Measures Already Taken If a warning, caution, or referral was already given for the same matter, proceeding with a formal charge may be challenged as inconsistent with the YCJA's emphasis on diversion.
No Adult Sentence Warranted Where the Crown seeks an adult sentence, the defence can argue that a youth sentence is sufficient to achieve accountability and rehabilitation — the YCJA's primary purpose.
Unreasonable Delay — s. 11(b) The Jordan 18-month presumptive ceiling applies to youth proceedings. Delay caused by the Crown or court — not the defence — can result in a stay of proceedings.

We will promote rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment. Often, we show how a conviction will affect a young person’s health, job, or education. Sometimes, we will show:

  • How well the offender is doing in school.
  • Considerable support from their family.
  • Evidence about skills or special needs from child development or education experts.

Examples of outcomes for youth offences

Youths found guilty are presumed to have a diminished moral blameworthiness for the crime, so they should receive a lighter sentence than an adult. Here are a few examples:

A 15-year-old girl walked into a cosmetics store at West Edmonton Mall and stole $300 worth of makeup.

  • The charge: Theft under $5,000.
  • Because she had no prior record and took responsibility, the Crown prosecutor agreed to extrajudicial sanctions.
  • The resolution: Write a formal letter of apology to the store management, complete a 10-hour retail diversion program, and remain trouble-free for 3 months.
  • Upon completion, the criminal charge was officially dropped, avoiding a youth court record.

A teenager stood on a pedestrian bridge in Edmonton and began throwing rocks and bricks into oncoming traffic.

  • He smashed the windshield of a passing car. The driver stopped, detained the youth, and waited for the police.
  • The charges: Assault with a weapon and Mischief (Property damage).
  • Because the action was deemed highly dangerous to public safety, it was sent to youth court.
  • The resolution: As a first-time offender, the youth received a 12-month probation order with strict conditions, including a curfew, a ban from the pedestrian bridge, and an order to complete 50 hours of community service work.

A 16-year-old boy and two peers physically threatened a boy until he handed over his iPhone, winter jacket, and cash.

  • The charges: Robbery and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (due to the group co-offending).
  • The youth pleaded guilty in Edmonton Youth Court.
  • The resolution: He was handed a deferred custody and supervision order (DCSO) for 6 months. This is a “jail sentence served in the community” under strict house-arrest-like conditions.

FAQs

The police must tell your parents right away if you are arrested or held. Most of the time, your parents have to go to court with you as well, and their support is essential for a positive outcome. However, unlike with adult criminal proceedings, your name is automatically kept confidential to protect privacy and limit the impact on your future under Section 110 of the YCJA,

Yes. For the most serious offences, such as murder or aggravated sexual assault, a court can impose an adult sentence on a young person aged 14 or older if the Crown applies and the judge determines a youth sentence would not be sufficient to hold them accountable. In such cases, it is essential to seek assistance from a criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible to avoid serious consequences.

No. Youth records under the Youth Criminal Justice Act are kept separate from adult criminal records and are not publicly accessible. Two years after completing youth extrajudicial sanctions, your record is closed. For other offences, records become inaccessible three years after the sentence is completed for summary conviction offences, or five years for indictable offences, provided you have not reoffended.

Yes, teens between the ages of 12 and 17 can be sent to jail, but it’s not the same as adult jail. Youth custody centres are more focused on helping kids learn and get better. The Youth Criminal Justice Act says that custody should only be used as a last resort, especially for crimes that don’t involve violence.

There are two parts to youth custody: Time spent in a youth facility and time spent under community supervision.  Most youth custody sentences are under two years. A six-month custody sentence often means four months in a youth facility and two months of being monitored in the community. Custody terms are usually served at the Edmonton Young Offender Centre (EYOC).

Get help defending a youth offence charge in Edmonton

If you or your child has been charged with a youth offence in Edmonton, a lawyer from Strategic Criminal Defence will:

  • Review the details of the case.
  • Work to defend the charge.
  • Negotiate with the authorities to prevent a major impact on your future.

Our team has defended youths in Edmonton for over a decade. We understand how local courts approach these cases, and our experience can help protect your future.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Verified By: Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Last Modified: August 11, 2026

Michael Oykhman is a senior criminal defence lawyer and the founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a leading firm with offices across Western Canada and Ontario. With nearly 20 years of legal experience, he has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has successfully defended thousands of clients.

Experience

  • Proven Results: Successfully managed over 10,000 criminal cases, experience in complex matters such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
  • Strategic Problem Solver: Trained as a trial lawyer but recognized for his experience in alternative resolution strategies, often securing the best outcomes for clients without a case ever going to trial.
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Authority: Licensed to practice law in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Education & Academic Leadership

  • Education: Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
  • Academic Distinctions: Recipient of the Crown Association Prize (top grade in criminal law) and was the first-ever finalist for the University of Calgary at the Gale Cup Moot.
  • Teaching & Mentorship: Currently serves as the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Advanced Criminal/Constitutional Appellate Advocacy.

Credentials & Recognition

  • Top-Rated Advocacy: An 8-time recipient of the Three Best Rated® Top Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year award in Calgary.
  • Professional Memberships: Active member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) of Calgary.
  • Connect with Michael: Bio | LinkedIn | Firm Office: (403) 719-6410