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Youth Justice

What is Extrajudicial
Measures (EJM)?

Extrajudicial Measures (EJM) or Youth Justice is funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The EJM Program is designed for youth who fall under the Youth Criminal Justice Act as an alternative approach to the court system. The EJM is a referral from the police. Instead of pressing charges, a police officer may have the option to caution a young person between the ages of 12 and 18 for their actions and offer them an opportunity to participate in the EJM program. Should the young person choose to voluntarily participate and accept responsibility for their actions he or she would have the opportunity to avoid criminal charges and a criminal record.

What is Extra Judicial Measures (EJM)?

Referral Process

Once the young person has been granted the opportunity to participate by the Investigating Officer, and agrees to do so, they have the responsibility to connect with Contact Niagara within 7 days to book an intake. The intake is completed with the young person or a parent over the telephone. Contact Niagara’s EJM coordinator forwards the completed intake report to the best suitable EJM Service Provider in the Niagara Region, depending on the type of the alleged offence.

At the EJM Service Provider, the young person will meet with a caseworker to discuss what happened and get to know him or her better. Parents or guardians are welcome to be part of this meeting. Next, an agreement will be created, also known as a contract that will help to hold the young person accountable. The contract is an action plan that will outline the steps that the young person is going to take to learn from their actions, make things right in the community and address the risk factors that landed them in conflict with the law.

The contract will include steps that are unique to the young person and their situation, but could include: a letter of apology, participation in a workshop or program, an essay, community service or restitution. In some cases, the young person may attend a Restorative Justice Conference.

Once the contract is completed within a specified time period, Contact Niagara will inform the police officer and they will dismiss the EJM warning. However, if the contract is not completed, the police may press charges against the young person.

Benefits of Extrajudicial Measures

  • Are often the most appropriate and effective way to address youth crime.
  • Allow for effective and timely interventions that encourage a young person to acknowledge and repair the harm caused to the victim and the community.
  • Provide opportunities for the community to become involved in responding to youth crime and enable youth courts to focus on the more serious cases.