You just received a notice that your teenager must appear in the Youth Division of the Court of Québec, often called youth court.
Keep in mind that you can go to court with your child and even take time off work to go.
Your Presence Is Important
Being in court with your child is strongly recommended. You will learn what happens during the court hearing and what steps come next. Your presence also shows your support for your child. The presence of one parent is enough.
Good to know! Judges can order a parent to be present in court if they think it is necessary. You can be charged with a crime if you do not obey the judge’s order.
Teenagers must go to court at the time and date shown in the document they received, and at other times ordered by a judge. If not, they could be accused of another crime.
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If the parents are separated, the court usually contacts the parent the child lives with. Reminder! The parent who does not have custody still has parental authority. That parent has a right to take part in important decisions about the child, and must be kept up to date on the situation. |
Taking Time Off Work
You can take time off work for family reasons. The number of days you can take is limited. You must tell your employer as soon as possible that you need to take time off.
If you cannot make it to court, tell your child’s lawyer.
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Right to a Lawyer Teens who must appear in court have the right to a lawyer. To learn more, read our article Your Child’s Right to a Lawyer. |