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The young offenders act is an act which protects the rights of minors. Should minors be tried in court as adults? At what age do children know the difference between right and wrong? Should parents be held accountable for their child’s actions? This is a very controversial topic in British Columbia, and I would like to get to the bottom of it. The Young offenders act (YOA) became a written law on the second day of April In 1984. The young offenders act applies to you if you are within the ages of 12 to 17 years old at the time at the time they are said to have broken a federal law. The Act does not apply to offences covered under the laws of your province. The Declaration of Principle includes statements similar to the following: • a young person who breaks the criminal law will bear responsibility for his or her actions, • young offenders will not always be held as responsible or get the same punishment as adult offenders, • the public should be protected, as needed, from criminal acts by young people; young offenders need control and discipline, they also have special needs and require help. In general, the best way to protect society is through rehabilitation. This usually means dealing with the needs and c