Go to school or go to jail.

• Author: Mitchell, Teresa
• Position: R. v. J.J.O. - Brief article

A twelve-year-old BC boy was convicted of possession of stolen property, driving a stolen vehicle, and evading police. He was sentenced to supervision and a probation order requiring him to comply with a curfew, perform community service and attend school. From September 12 to 30, 2005, he failed to attend school. A warrant was issued for his arrest and the court considered whether to keep him in custody while he awaited his hearing for breaching his probation order. The judge noted that there is a presumption against imposing custody on a youth to prevent further breaches of a probation order. In this case, the judge decided that the child should not be held in custody...