Canadian Online Legal Dictionary

A youth fourteen years or older who has committed a serious offence may have an adult sentence imposed. If the Crown wishes to have the youth justice court impose an adult sentence, the youth must receive notice before trial and will have the right to a jury trial. An adult sentence can be imposed only after a youth justice court determines under section 72 of the YCJA that a youth sentence would “not be adequate to hold the young person accountable.” If the youth justice court determines that an adult-length sentence is appropriate, it may still decide that a youth will serve a portion of the sentence in a youth custody facility.