Extrajudicial measures are the less formal, “non-court” responses to youth crime. Extrajudicial measures = “Extrajudicial” means outside the court. Extrajudicial measure are non-court responses to youth crime. The aim of extrajudicial measures is to hold youth accountable for crime, without going through the formal court process.
When a police officer issues a warning to a youth rather than arresting them, this is a non-court response. Similarly, when police refer a youth to a community program, this is also a non-court response. There is a presumption in the youth criminal justice system that extrajudicial measures should be considered before formal court proceedings are initiated.
Extrajudicial measures are non-court responses to youth crime which:
- Provide an effective and timely response to the offending behaviour
- Encourage the repair of harm caused to the victim and the community
- Encourage the involvement of families, victims, and the community
- Respect the rights of young persons
- Are proportionate to the seriousness of the offence
Extrajudicial measures provide a timely response to youth crime. They enable youth to consider the consequences of their actions in a meaningful way. In some cases, the victim of the crime may be directly involved by helping to make decisions about what happens to the youth and any reparations.
Reparations = The way that the youth make up for a crime.
These measures encourage youth to acknowledge his or her actions and repair the harm done to the victim. In some cases, there are specific limitations put on the youth, such as a curfew. Or the youth may be required to perform community services. These are examples of extrajudicial sanctions, which are more formal extrajudicial measures.
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