The Juvenile Delinquents Act was a law passed in 1908 by the Canadian government to improve its handling of juvenile crime. The act established procedures for the handling of juvenile offenses, including the government assuming control of juvenile offenders. It was revised in 1929 and superseded in 1984 by the Young Offenders Act. Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Motto (Latin for From Sea to Sea) Anthem O Canada Royal anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Ottawa Largest city Toronto Official languages English, French Government Parliamentary democracy and federal constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor General Michaëlle Jean  -  Prime Minister Stephen Harper Establishment  -  Act of Union February... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Young Offenders Act was a 1984 act of the Parliament of Canada, now obsolete, that regulated the criminal prosecution of Canadian youths. ...

For most of its history, Canada's legal system has treated young people and adults differently. Under English common law, children between the ages of seven and thirteen were usually not charged for criminal offenses. It was believed they could not understand the seriousness of their actions. If it could be proved that a child could form criminal intent, he or she would be charged and tried in the same courts as adults. Children 14 or older were tried in adult courts and were subject to the same penalties as adults: hanging, whipping, or imprisonment. Children and teenagers were forced to serve their sentences alongside adult offenders in typically filthy, over-crowded prisons. This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... Mens rea is a criminal law concept which focuses on the mental state of the accused and requires proof of a positive state of mind such as intent, recklessness, or willful blindness. ...

In 1892, Canada changed the Criminal Code so that children were tried privately and separately from adults. Special laws, child welfare agencies, and a separate justice system were developed. In 1908, the federal government passed the Juvenile Delinquents Act. The age definition of a "juvenile" varied; most provinces set it between the ages of 12 and 16. but children as young as seven were charged and tried under this act. Year 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The objective of the Juvenile Delinquents Act was to rehabilitate and reform—not to punish. Young people who broke the law were "delinquents," not criminals. They were viewed as victims of poverty, abuse, and neglect. Their parents had failed to raise them well, it was reasoned, so the state assumed custody of the child. Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal acts performed by juveniles. ... A boy from Jakarta, Indonesia shows his find. ... Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual abuse or neglect of children. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... Custody can refer to: Child custody Police custody (Arrest) Custody account, see either Custodian bank or Clearing house (finance) Banking) Category: ...

Juveniles seldom had lawyers in court. Judges, police and probation officers could impose whatever sentence they thought best for the youth. Because there were no formal guidelines, sentences ranged from incredibly harsh to extremely lenient. The definition of "delinquency" was so broad that youths could be charged for breaking minor laws, including truancy, coming home late, or loitering. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Probation Officers badge from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Probation officers and parole officers function as agents or officers of the courts. ... “Truant” redirects here. ... Look up Loitering in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

If found to be delinquent, juveniles could be sent indefinitely to correctional or training institutions. Staff decided when the delinquent was rehabilitated and could be released. There was no Charter to protect a juvenile's rights, and no right to a lawyer. Problems with the Act led to demands for changes, and it was revised in 1929. In 1984, the Young Offenders Act replaced the Juvenile Delinquents Act. It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ...

See also

• List of Acts of Parliament of Canada
• Criminal Code of Canada
• Young Offenders Act
• Youth Criminal Justice Act