Under YCJA, adult sentences are available only for 14+ youths who commit serious crimes.

• A. For all youths regardless of age
• B. Only for 14+ youths who commit serious crimes
• C. Never; youth always have non-prison consequences
• D. Only when the crime is violent

Answer: (B)

Under YCJA, adult sentences are possible only for youths who are 14 or older and who commit serious crimes. This setup balances rehabilitation focus for most youth offenders with public safety needs in cases of serious offending. It isn’t available to younger youths, and while violent offences are a common example of serious offences, the nuance is that “serious crimes” covers other severe offences as defined by the act. So this statement correctly reflects the condition under which adult sentences can be used.