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Paralegals cannot serve as suitable adults for unrepresented youth under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
A 17-year-old youth charged with two counts of assault appeared in youth court with a paralegal, Leopoldo Llorente, rather than with counsel.
The youth and his father had attempted to access legal aid but were unable to reach the Legal Aid Ontario toll-free line.
The paralegal sought to be recognized as a suitable adult under section 25(7) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act to assist the youth.
The court held that paralegals are not eligible to be considered suitable adults under section 25(7) and directed that the youth be represented by counsel under section 25(4) of the Act.
