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Originally Posted by jayswin
Again, I hate to be that guy in the thread, but why would you want media to be legally allowed to name youth? Because it's really egregious everything should go out the window?
Do you still want youth to be properly protected in other cases or should children be fair game in all scenarios? If not, then what's your proposed cut off? Where do you want to draw the line?
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I want them to be named because clearly the person(s) has committed a violent act and the public should have a right to know who did it. We name adults who rob banks, who murder others. Heck, people who aren't even convicted yet are named simply for being arrested/charged.
Serious question: Why should youth be any different? Why shouldn't society get to know exactly who the perpetrators are simply because of their age?
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/y...bli-publi.html
To answer my own question, this link provided me the answers I was looking for. I now understand why they do it. But it doesn't mean I have to agree with it. And I don't agree with it. Not for a serious case like this.
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Purpose of Publication Bans
The rationale for protecting the privacy of young persons through publication bans is in recognition of their immaturity and the need to protect them from the harmful effects of publication so that their chances of rehabilitation are maximized.
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Shouldn't adults fall under that category as well?
Reading further, there are exceptions as per the website.
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...where the young person has received a youth sentence for a violent offence and the court determines that the young person poses a significant risk of committing another violent offence and the lifting of the ban is necessary to protect the public against that risk;
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Personally I think this case more then fits this criteria. Sure if it's some vandalism or minor theft charge I agree with not naming them. But attempted murder? Damn son. I would personally want to know who did it. I'm sure the victim and his family would like to know too.
I'm sure there's other reasons to go along with a ban. Of course I'm not a law expert in any way. It's just my opinion that it's kind of dumb how a person who is at the stage of being arrested/charged with a crime can be named if they are an adult, effectively ruining many future prospects of employment, housing, etc well before any conviction happens. Yet when a youth is charged with a serious crime like this, suddenly it's all hush hush about naming them.