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According to police reports, youth between 12 to 17 years of age account for a significant share of reported firearm-related crime in Canada. Meanwhile, the crime of assault with a weapon, including firearms, carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in jail.
Although the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), which governs juvenile offences, presumes lowered capability, the consequences of assault with a weapon in Canada can still be severe. Below, we discuss the legal framework for assault with a weapon and explore what happens if a young person faces the charges in Ontario.
When a youth commits an assault with a weapon in Ontario, the charges are prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The crime of assault with a weapon in the Criminal Code is a hybrid offence where someone uses anything designed or intended for use to threaten, cause injury, or death to another person. Due to this broad definition, a weapon can mean any object from a household tool or a glass bottle to a handgun.
Depending on the nature of the offence and the circumstances of the incident, the prosecution may proceed with the charges by indictment with higher penalties or summarily. If using a weapon results in aggravated damages, such as disfigurement or danger to life, or when a weapon is used to commit sexual assault in Toronto or elsewhere in the GTA, more serious charges with potentially higher penalties would apply.
In Canada, the prosecution and sentencing of youth crimes are different from those for adults. While the Criminal Code of Canada covers all types of crimes, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) sets special principles, rules and processes for dealing with youth accused of criminal offences.
The key principles of the YCJA include the presumption of diminished moral blameworthiness due to their chronological age. The Youth Justice Act emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration, special procedural protection, and proportionate punishment while minimizing custody.
“Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, custody should always be a last resort,” explains Benson Wilson, Criminal Defence Lawyer Vilkhov Law. “The court’s goal is to help young people reintegrate into society, not to brand them for life. Early legal guidance can make a critical difference in protecting their future.”
The Ontario youth charges for assault with a weapon apply to young offenders aged 12 to 17 years old. People over 18 years of age are considered adults, so youth charges generally don’t apply to them.
When a youth commits assault with a weapon, they are entitled to diminished culpability because of their age. At the same time, if the Crown can prove that a youth charged with a crime demonstrates developmental maturity of an adult, the court may impose an adult sentence.
When police arrest a youth on suspicion of a crime, the officers must inform them of the reason for arrest using the language the youth understands. The police are also under an obligation to inform the youth that they don’t have to say anything and explain their rights to speak to a lawyer and have their parents or guardian with them during questioning.
The police must contact the youth’s parents or guardians to inform them about the arrest of their child. When charged with a serious crime such as assault with a weapon, a youth can be photographed and fingerprinted.
After the arrest, the youth can be charged with a crime or released within 24 hours. In the general case, there is a presumption that a youth will be released until the next court date. At the same time, the judge may decide to keep the youth in custody if there is a substantial risk of non-appearance in court or committing a serious offence, or when detention is needed to maintain confidence in the justice process.
Youth court proceedings have important distinctions from trials on adult offenders to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of young persons. The key differences include:
Based on the principle of rehabilitation and reintegration, the courts consider alternatives to imprisonment for youth offences whenever possible. In imposing penalties on young offenders, judges can choose from a broad range of sanctions, which include:
In Canada, assault with a weapon is classified as a primary designated offence. This means that if a youth is found guilty, the judge may issue a DNA order to have the offender’s sample in the DNA data bank. Also, since assault with a weapon involves violence, actual or threatened, the courts can impose a weapon prohibition order under Section 109 of the Criminal Code.
When it comes to sentencing for criminal offences, youth have a constitutional right to be treated differently from adults. Specifically, the YCJA presumes that the criminal justice for young persons must be based on the principle of diminished moral blameworthiness or culpability.
In case of serious violent offences, when prosecutors seek an adult sentence, the Crown needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the young offender has the developmental maturity of an adult, contrary to their chronological age. If the Crown succeeds in rebutting the statutory presumption, a youth under 18 years of age could serve an adult sentence in a youth facility. For youth who are 18 years or older, he or she may go to a provincial or federal jail.
| Type of Sentence | Youth (YCJA) | Adult (Criminal Code) |
|---|---|---|
| Extrajudicial Measures | Community-based programs, warnings, mediation, or community service | Not applicable |
| Probation / Conditional Sentence | Up to 2 years with mandatory reporting to a probation officer | Conditional sentence or probation; may include curfew or restrictions |
| Custody and Supervision | Split custody (open or secure) followed by community supervision | Full custodial term in provincial or federal jail |
| Fines and Restitution | Up to $1,000 or community reparation | Higher fines and civil restitution possible |
| Adult Sentence (Exception) | Only if Crown proves adult-level maturity | Standard sentencing under the Criminal Code applies |
Unlike more severe offences, there is no minimum sentence for assault in Canada. At the same time, the prosecution and the court treat assault with a weapon very seriously due to the dangerous nature of weapons and the potential harm.
The maximum sentence for assault with a weapon for adults is 10 years if prosecuted by indictment and two years less a day in a summary process. In practice, the actual sentences for youth offenders can vary and range from non-custodial punishment to several years in jail, depending on the severity of the offence.
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According to reports, youth offenders tend to victimize young people of about the same age. Six in ten assaults on a minor involve victims who were acquaintances of the accused young offenders. Meanwhile, committing an assault against someone below the age of eighteen years is an aggravating factor that pushes the sentence for assault on a minor toward the harsher end.
When a youth carries, uses, or threatens to use a weapon to commit sexual assault, the offence is charged under Section 272 of the Criminal Code. The law defines sexual assault with a weapon as a much more serious offence, with the minimum punishment of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 14 years.
On top of the criminal liability for the offender, victims may consider how much they can sue for assault in Canada. Civil compensation, if granted, can cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost income, and other damages suffered by the victim.
The defence strategies for Ontario youth charges for assault with a weapon can include several common approaches tailored to juvenile offences:
When a youth commits a criminal offence, the charges are bound by the presumption of diminished moral blameworthiness and are prosecuted differently from adult-committed crimes. By applying these principles, the YCJA aims to give young people a chance at rehabilitation while balancing the community’s safety.
At the same time, in serious criminal cases such as assault with a weapon, the Crown may seek to rebut the assumption, show that the young person has the capability of moral judgment of an adult and seek an adult sentence. Hiring an experienced criminal lawyer for youth cases is essential to ensure a strong legal defence and minimize the consequences of the charges. If you are interested in more information or face criminal charges in your city, please don’t hesitate to contact our Newmarket criminal lawyer or our team in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Barrie, Innisfil or across the GTA.
Assault with a weapon is defined under Section 267 of the Criminal Code of Canada as using or threatening to use an object to apply force on another person. A “weapon” can include everyday items like bottles or tools, not only firearms. The offence is hybrid, meaning it can be prosecuted either summarily or by indictment, depending on the severity.
If you are between 12 and 17 years old, your case falls under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The YCJA focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment. Youths are entitled to additional protections such as privacy, parental notification, and the right to counsel.
There is no fixed minimum sentence for assault with a weapon in Canada. Sentences depend on the offence’s severity, the accused’s intent, and any aggravating factors. For adult offenders, the maximum penalty can reach 10 years in prison if prosecuted by indictment, while youth sentences are usually less severe.
Yes, but only in exceptional cases. The Crown must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the young person demonstrated adult-level maturity and responsibility. If granted, an adult sentence can result in longer custody and the loss of publication bans on the youth’s identity.
Typical outcomes include probation, community service, or participation in youth rehabilitation programs. Custody is used as a last resort under the YCJA and is generally reserved for repeat or violent offenders.
Assaulting a person under 18 is considered an aggravating factor that can increase penalties. If a weapon is used in a sexual assault, the offence falls under Section 272 of the Criminal Code and carries a minimum punishment of five years in prison.
Yes. In addition to criminal charges, victims can pursue civil action to recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and emotional trauma. The right to sue exists even if the accused is a youth.
