Community Accountability Programs Information ... - Ministry of Justice

Dealing with the offenderBesides formal court proceedings, there are two methods for holding aperson accountable for offences. These are:• Informal police-initiated resolution• Formal Crown-initiated resolution (also known as “alternative measuresprograms”)Both methods are used for adults and youth. For cases involving youngoffenders, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (ss. 4-12) outlines specificrequirements for the use of these methods, both of which are referred to inthe Act as “extrajudicial measures.”Extrajudicial MeasuresBoth the police and Crown have the ability to impose extrajudicial measures in certaincircumstances.• Informal police-initiated resolution is referred to in the YCJA as “informalextrajudicial measures.” Examples include warnings, cautions, and referrals tocommunity programs, such as Community Accountability Programs, which may helpthe young person avoid committing further offences.• Formal Crown-initiated resolution is referred to in the YCJA as “extrajudicialsanctions.” These sanctions are analogous to the alternative measures programsprovided for in the Criminal Code and the former Young Offenders Act. In these cases,Crown refers an individual to a probation officer or an accredited program. Formalconsequences are imposed if the individual fails to comply with the terms of his or heragreement. Extrajudicial sanctions are considered the most formal type of extrajudicialmeasure. 5For more information on extrajudicial measures and the YCJA, see Appendix F.Informal police-initiated resolutionWhen police attend the scene of an alleged offence, they investigate theincident, speak with the victim, interview witnesses, and deal with thealleged offender. If victims require support, the police officer refers them tovictim services organizations in the community. Once the police havedetermined, on reasonable and probable grounds, that a crime has been5 Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, extrajudicial sanctions may be used only if theyouth admits to the offence and only if he or she cannot be adequately dealt withthrough the less formal measures, namely, a warning, caution, or referral.Guidelines for Working with Victims and Offenders 24