Court Support Services for Youth
The Court Support Services for Youth is an important prevention program because it gives supporting assistance and community-based options for youths who are in the court system.
How does this program help?
The Court Support Services for Youth is a program based at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse to assist lawyers in developing community-based options for young persons in the criminal justice system. The Court Support Services for Youth Program targets cases where young persons are at high risk of incarceration, but could be released with community support and structured intervention. Community outreach is an essential feature in the implementation of the program.
What can this program do?
The Court Support Services for Youth; by providing lawyers with viable and accountable community-based alternatives to incarceration, links to community resources and referrals to services for youth, the Court Support Services for Youth Program can decrease the number of youth going through the court process by expanding the potential for diversion; increasing the opportunities for release at the bail hearing stage; and reducing the over-reliance on custodial sentences as a response to youth crime.
What services does this program provide?
Pre-Trial Release Planning
The Youth Court Support Liaison works with community agencies and agencies working within the courts to expand opportunities for pre-trial release. Release plans are developed to support the youth in the community prior to trial. The majority of release planning occurs at the initial bail hearing stage, but the Youth Court Support Liaison may get involved at any stage of the court process to assist. Bail conditions may include, but not limited to, conditions that would support community release, including family counselling, education or training and the development of a safe and viable plan for residency. The Youth Court Support Liaison works cooperatively with community agencies, as well, as, agencies working within the court to make referrals.
Sentence Planning
Youth at risk of custody are assessed by the Youth Court Support Liaison. Youth who are accepted into the program are provided with a case specific disposition plan which supports an alternative to custody to be submitted for consideration by the court on the date of sentencing.
Diversion
The Youth Court Support Liaison is familiar with a wide range of community resources and agencies to assist Duty Counsel or Defence Counsel in exploring expanded opportunities for youth who might not ordinarily qualify for alternative measures programs.
Who Is eligible?
Young persons 12 to 17 years of age at the time of the offence, appearing in Youth Court at A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse are eligible for the Court Support Services for Youth Program.
Referrals to the Court Support Services for Youth Program are made by Duty Counsel, Defence Counsel and other agencies providing services to youth in the court.
Who can I contact for more information?
Court Office
A.Grenville and William Davis Courthouse
7755 Hurontario Street, Room 204A
Brampton, ON L6W 4T1
Telephone: 905-456-4700 x 5625
Head Office
E FRY Hope and Help for Women
24 Queen Street East, Suite LL-01
Brampton, ON L6V 1A3
Telephone/Text: 905-459-1315
Fax: 905-459-1322
E-mail: Efry@efryhope.com
