A young adult offender, M.M., pleaded guilty to theft under $5000 and breach of a youth sentence order, both committed shortly after her 18th birthday.
The Crown sought a conviction, while duty counsel sought a conditional discharge based on the collateral consequence that a conviction would convert M.M.'s significant youth record into an adult criminal record under section 119(9) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The court imposed a conditional discharge with 12 months' probation, finding that the discharge was in M.M.'s best interests and not contrary to the public interest, emphasizing rehabilitation and redemption for a young adult still in the process of maturing.