Back in August, this blog had information on youth records: who can see your youth record and when are youth records destroyed?
Today we bring you some more information about other issues a Youth Record may present.
1) A Youth Record may prevent you from being admitted into another country such as crossing the US-Canada border or flying abroad. If you have a record for drugs, weapons or violent crimes you may be denied access into another country.
2) A Youth Record can seriously affect your immigration status in Canada. If you are a visitor, refugee claimant, or landed immigrant (not a citizen) and you are found guilty or convicted of a crime in Canada, you may face serious consequences, and could be forced to leave Canada. This is a very serious area of law. Contact a lawyer right away if you are arrested.
3) A Youth Record may prevent you from getting a job. It is not legal for an employer to ask about your youth record. It is legal for an employer to ask for a police record check. If your employer asks for a police record check, you make the request and the information comes to you. It is then up to you if you decide to show it to the employer. Unfortunately, the decision you make may affect your chances of getting a job.
This area of law is complicated. If you have any questions consult a lawyer.
Who to Contact:
Lawyer referral service:
1-800-268-8326
Justice for Children & Youth:
(416) 920-1633 (GTA)or1-866-999-5329
www.jfcy.org
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Guest Blogger: Volunteering at the JFCY Benefit!
Last November, JFCY held a benefit to raise funds for valuable programs that assist youth. We publicized the event on the JFCY blog here.
Guest Blogger Tracy Chen, a third-year Ryerson Journalism student volunteered at the JFCY Benefit and writes about her experience below. We'd like to thank all our volunteers and hope that all who attended enjoyed the event!
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It was a great night of live music as the Gladstone Hotel was filled with people who were there to support Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY).
Some of the talented musicians were Jen Schaffer and the Shiners, Bidiniband, Jack Connolly and the New Bend. There was also a silent auction with many generous donations of artwork, tickets and books.
As the JFCY volunteer, I spent the night greeting guests at the door and wrapping up the lovely artwork that the supporters had won. I got to meet some people that allow JFCY to have invaluable programs such as Street Youth Legal Services and youth engagement. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I hope more youth come to the event next year.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Topic in the News: Bullying
Our last post, we had a guest blogger write on the topic of bullying. This is a topic that is often in the news. Here some very interesting articles from people who were bullied and a short video by Rick Mercer on the topic of bullying! Take a look!
An Incredible Life Waits Beyond the Bullying
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/922245
Lawsuits Question Schools Responses to Bullying
http://www.globecampus.ca/in-the-news/article/lawsuits-question-school-responses-to-bullying/
Rick Mercer Rant - Bullying - It Gets Better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Y7qpiu2RQ
An Incredible Life Waits Beyond the Bullying
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/922245
Lawsuits Question Schools Responses to Bullying
http://www.globecampus.ca/in-the-news/article/lawsuits-question-school-responses-to-bullying/
Rick Mercer Rant - Bullying - It Gets Better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Y7qpiu2RQ
Monday, January 3, 2011
Guest Blogger Yasmin Rajabi on School Bullying
Yasmin is a grade 10 student in Toronto and a volunteer member of JFCY's Public Legal Education Committee
Consider Yasmin’s scenario:
Harry’s books were once again knocked out of his hands. His heartbeat sped up and his palms became slippery with sweat. “Move, this hallway isn’t for losers,” Tom sneered at Harry. Harry was pushed aside roughly as Tom pushed past him. Tom walked a couple of steps before turning back. “I better not see you in this hallway again or else…” Harry’s stomach filled with dread…what was he supposed to do?
Harry decided to ignore Tom's threats, it's not like he would go through them, right?
Harry got home that day and checked his Facebook account, waiting for his cousin Phil to come online. With a sense of dread Harry noticed that Tom was online. The chat bar opened.
Tom: “You're such a loser Harry, no wonder you don't have any friends. Why don't you just help us all and not show your face around school anymore. Otherwise, there could be trouble for you…”
Harry logged off after reading Tom's message. He didn't want to be scared anymore, he felt that he had to do something. He decided to tell someone.
The next day Tom was called to the office by his Vice-Principal, Mr. Vandelay, who said:
"Tom, Harry has been telling me that you've been bullying him inside and outside of school. I’m going to have to suspend you…"
Legal Information on Bullying from JFCY:
Here is some general legal information about bullying. For specific advice, contact a lawyer!
Education Law Issues: Students have the right to feel safe at school and learn in an environment that is free of harassment. As a result, school principals have the legal power to impose discipline on students who bully other students, teachers and school staff. Sometimes students who bully others can be suspended or expelled for their conduct. Bullies can sometimes be disciplined for conduct that takes place away from school—such as online on Facebook—if there is evidence that the conduct makes another person feel unsafe at school or otherwise impacts the school climate.
Criminal Law Issues: In most cases, school Principals will contact the police if the bullying involves violence or a threat to the safety and security of the student or others at the school. Bullying can sometimes lead to criminal charges, such as assault, uttering threats and criminal harassment. Sometimes the criminal charges can lead to a situation where the police and/or the Court will prohibit the bully from going back to the school. This can sometimes be the case even if the bully was not suspended or expelled.
If you are a youth and require more information on legal issues relating to bullying, school discipline and criminal law, please contact JFCY at 416.920.1633 or toll-free at 1.866.999.5329 to speak with a lawyer.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Youth and the Police
What to do if you are being questioned by the police:
Ask if you are free to go and why you are being questioned. If you are being searched, ask why. State that you want to speak to your lawyer. Make the telephone call right then if you have a cellphone. The Justice for Children and Youth GTA number is 416-920-1633.
What to do if you are being searched by the police:
Police can only legally search you:
Under 18? Questioned or Arrested by Police? Here is a Step-by-Step
24 hour Legal Aid Lawyers 1-800-268-8326
Justice for Children and Youth
416-920-1633 (inside GTA)
1-866-999-5329
Ask if you are free to go and why you are being questioned. If you are being searched, ask why. State that you want to speak to your lawyer. Make the telephone call right then if you have a cellphone. The Justice for Children and Youth GTA number is 416-920-1633.
What to do if you are being searched by the police:
Police can only legally search you:
- if you consent
- OR they have a warrant
- OR they are investigating your for a crime they suspect you did and it is for safety reasons
- OR they are arresting you for a crime and they are searching for evidence linked to the crime.
Under 18? Questioned or Arrested by Police? Here is a Step-by-Step
- You should give your correct name, age and address. Ask if you are free to go. If they say no, they may be arresting you.
- Ask why you are being arrested. You have a right to know.
- Before the police can charge you, they must consider the following alternatives. They can:
- Let you go.
- Give you a warning
- Caution you (and even your parents) on the spot or at the police station
- If there are grounds for a charge, and if you agree, refer you to a community program.
- If the officer does not mention these alternatives, politely ask about the alternatives.
- You have the right to call a lawyer AND a parent or adult that you trust. The police must give you the phone number for a lawyer. You get as many calls as you need.
- Get advice from a lawyer before you say anything to the police. You have a right to have a lawyer with you if you decided to say anything.
- The police can't carry out threats or promises to make you say or write anything.
24 hour Legal Aid Lawyers 1-800-268-8326
Justice for Children and Youth
416-920-1633 (inside GTA)
1-866-999-5329
Friday, November 26, 2010
Leaving Home Part III: Social Assistance
Leaving Home will be a series of blog posts providing information to youth who have questions about their rights and responsibilities about leaving home. These blog posts offer general information only. For particular issues specific to a personal situation, contact JFCY to speak to a lawyer.
Today's final intallment answers some questions about available social assistance for youth living on their own.
-----------------
Can I get Ontario Works (“OW”, “welfare” or “social assistance”) to live on my own?
If you are under 16 years of age, you are not entitled to receive social assistance as a single person. However, if you are living with an adult, such as a friend’s parent, they can ask to have the Child’s Tax Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit paid to them to help support you. They can also ask the Ontario Works office for help to support you.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can apply for social assistance from Ontario Works (OW) under special circumstances.
You might have to show the OW worker that your parents will not let you live at home, or that it is harmful for you to live there. The OW worker must be sure that your parents cannot or will not support you financially. You can ask your OW worker to not contact your parents if there are safety reasons, e.g. if your parents have physically abused you or threatened you with harm. You might also need to provide confirmation of your circumstances, such as a letter from a guidance counselor.
OW will need to know who you are living with and whether they are financially supporting you. This may affect your eligibility. You may also have to participate in family counseling (exception: if your parents have abused you).
You will have to attend school full time or be in an approved training program, unless you have a serious medical or psychological problem that makes this impossible. Anytime you miss school or the training program, you must have a justified reason for doing so or your OW will end. If you are suspended or expelled from school you may be cut off from social assistance.
If you believe that the reason you were suspended or expelled was not fair, you should appeal the decision. You can call Justice for Children and Youth to find out how to appeal the decision.
If you are 16 or 17 years old and have a child, you can receive OW. You may be required to participate in a program approved by OW to help you complete high school, develop job skills and/or develop your parenting skills.
What does Ontario Works pay for?
OW payments are for shelter, food, clothing and other basic needs. When you move into a new place OW can also help you cover extra items, such as last months rent, furniture and moving costs. If you need prescription drugs, OW will also pay for those except for a small dispensing fee (which some drug stores will not make you pay). If you live in a hostel or youth shelter, you can apply for a personal needs allowance only.
Do I have a Right to apply for OW?
You have the right to apply for benefits even if you are told that you may not be eligible. If you are turned down, you should ask for the decision in writing so you can ask for a review of the decision by someone else in the OW office. If they turn you down again you can appeal the decision to the Social Benefits Tribunal. Your request for a review or an appeal must be in writing. There are short deadlines for reviews and appeals so make sure you act on it as soon as possible. For further information on Social Assistance, visit the website for Community Legal Education Ontario at: www.cleo.on.ca/english/pub/onpub/online.htm
For advice or help with a review and/or an appeal, contact your local community legal clinic or Justice for Children and Youth.
---------
For more information on Leaving Home, consult our Legal Information Pamphlets section or click on the below link:
Leaving Home
---------------
RESOURCES:
Kids Help Phone - http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
416-973-4444 / 1-800-668-6868 (outside Toronto).
Children’s Aid Society - 416-987-7725 in Toronto
To locate your local CAS, visit the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Society’s website at http://www.oacas.org/
FindHelp211:
Information about community, government, social and health issues
Dial “211” from inside the Toronto area, or visit http://www.211toronto.ca/
Outside GTA, check the local Blue Book or visit http://www.211ontario.ca/
TO CONSULT A LAWYER:
Justice for Children and Youth:
415 Yonge Street, Suite 1203
GTA (416) 920 - 1633
http://www.jfcy.org/
Legal Aid Ontario – http://www.lao.on.ca/
416-598-0200 / 1-800-668-8258
Lawyer Referral Service – 416-947-3330 / 1-800-268-8326
Referrals to lawyers; 30 min free advice.
Today's final intallment answers some questions about available social assistance for youth living on their own.
-----------------
Can I get Ontario Works (“OW”, “welfare” or “social assistance”) to live on my own?
If you are under 16 years of age, you are not entitled to receive social assistance as a single person. However, if you are living with an adult, such as a friend’s parent, they can ask to have the Child’s Tax Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit paid to them to help support you. They can also ask the Ontario Works office for help to support you.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can apply for social assistance from Ontario Works (OW) under special circumstances.
You might have to show the OW worker that your parents will not let you live at home, or that it is harmful for you to live there. The OW worker must be sure that your parents cannot or will not support you financially. You can ask your OW worker to not contact your parents if there are safety reasons, e.g. if your parents have physically abused you or threatened you with harm. You might also need to provide confirmation of your circumstances, such as a letter from a guidance counselor.
OW will need to know who you are living with and whether they are financially supporting you. This may affect your eligibility. You may also have to participate in family counseling (exception: if your parents have abused you).
You will have to attend school full time or be in an approved training program, unless you have a serious medical or psychological problem that makes this impossible. Anytime you miss school or the training program, you must have a justified reason for doing so or your OW will end. If you are suspended or expelled from school you may be cut off from social assistance.
If you believe that the reason you were suspended or expelled was not fair, you should appeal the decision. You can call Justice for Children and Youth to find out how to appeal the decision.
If you are 16 or 17 years old and have a child, you can receive OW. You may be required to participate in a program approved by OW to help you complete high school, develop job skills and/or develop your parenting skills.
What does Ontario Works pay for?
OW payments are for shelter, food, clothing and other basic needs. When you move into a new place OW can also help you cover extra items, such as last months rent, furniture and moving costs. If you need prescription drugs, OW will also pay for those except for a small dispensing fee (which some drug stores will not make you pay). If you live in a hostel or youth shelter, you can apply for a personal needs allowance only.
Do I have a Right to apply for OW?
You have the right to apply for benefits even if you are told that you may not be eligible. If you are turned down, you should ask for the decision in writing so you can ask for a review of the decision by someone else in the OW office. If they turn you down again you can appeal the decision to the Social Benefits Tribunal. Your request for a review or an appeal must be in writing. There are short deadlines for reviews and appeals so make sure you act on it as soon as possible. For further information on Social Assistance, visit the website for Community Legal Education Ontario at: www.cleo.on.ca/english/pub/onpub/online.htm
For advice or help with a review and/or an appeal, contact your local community legal clinic or Justice for Children and Youth.
---------
For more information on Leaving Home, consult our Legal Information Pamphlets section or click on the below link:
Leaving Home
---------------
RESOURCES:
Kids Help Phone - http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
416-973-4444 / 1-800-668-6868 (outside Toronto).
Children’s Aid Society - 416-987-7725 in Toronto
To locate your local CAS, visit the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Society’s website at http://www.oacas.org/
FindHelp211:
Information about community, government, social and health issues
Dial “211” from inside the Toronto area, or visit http://www.211toronto.ca/
Outside GTA, check the local Blue Book or visit http://www.211ontario.ca/
TO CONSULT A LAWYER:
Justice for Children and Youth:
415 Yonge Street, Suite 1203
GTA (416) 920 - 1633
http://www.jfcy.org/
Legal Aid Ontario – http://www.lao.on.ca/
416-598-0200 / 1-800-668-8258
Lawyer Referral Service – 416-947-3330 / 1-800-268-8326
Referrals to lawyers; 30 min free advice.
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