For over 100 years, Canada has had a separate criminal justice system for young persons. The Youth Criminal Justice Act acknowledges that young persons should be held accountable for their actions. It also recognizes young persons are still youth who make mistakes and should be given the opportunity to mature, learn from their mistakes, accept the consequences of their actions and make amends. Adults are expected to understand be fully accountable for their actions. Therefore, young persons should be treated differently from adults. Last Reviewed: January 2020