Girl, 8, suspended over Jell-O shots

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Associated Press, December 8, 2004

NEW ORLEANS, U.S.A.(AP) --- An eight-year old girl was suspended for nine days for bringing to school what appeared to be about 30 "Jell-O shots" -- although it was unclear whether they contained alcohol.

The incident occurred Nov. 29, as the girl stood after classes outside Geraldine Boudteaux Elementary School in Terrytown, a New Orleans suburb. A teacher found what looked like the small cups of alcohol-laced gelatine that are sold in bars, school spokesman Jeff Nowakowski said.

The girl told the principal that her mother, who works in a bar, makes alcoholic shots at home and sells them at work. The grade 4 student said her mother had instructed her to take the shots to school and sell them, three for $1, to make some money for Christmas, Nowakowski said.

Conservatives vow to toughen youth justice act

Youth 14 and over would be named when convicted of serious crimes

CBC, September 22, 2008

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said tougher sentences for young people who commit crimes will serve as a deterrent.

Under the Conservative leader's proposal, young people 14 and over found guilty of crimes such as manslaughter, murder or aggravated assault would face tougher sentences, and no longer have their identities protected.

The act currently forbids the release of young offenders' identities, unless the accused are found guilty and handed adult sentences. Read More ..

Top court, not PM, calls the tune

The Toronto Star
September 24, 2008

Prime Minister Stephen Harper can say what he wants and promise what he dares.

But when it comes to this country's laws, the Supreme Court of Canada decides what's constitutional and what's not.

This past May, the Supremes declared in a 5-4 decision that the Youth Criminal Justice Act is unconstitutional, in parts, as written: Those under age 18 cannot be sentenced as adults, nor identified, unless the Crown persuades a judge of the necessity for doing so. Read More ..