Revision of the Under 18 Handbook Completed

We have completed the revision of the "Under 18 Handbook", a legal guide for Manitoba teens.

Originally produced in 1986, the handbook introduces teenagers to the legal rights, restrictions and responsibilities which apply to everyone, as well as the laws that apply more particularly to them. The revised edition has also been expanded to take into account the recent Youth Criminal Justice Act.

By adopting a 'Question and Answer' format, we have been able to anticipate questions that a typical teenager might raise about different areas of the law. Consequently, in its 13 chapters, the Handbook covers topics such as 'You and the Law,' 'Contracts,' 'Health and Sex,' 'Money Making', etc. And we are greatly indebted to our volunteer team of lawyers, who provided detailed and straightforward answers to legal questions in every-day language, not in technical or legalistic jargon.

In a separate section, the Handbook also lists groups, organizations and services in Manitoba that relate to the topics covered. This section provides more than 200 useful contacts.

The Handbook will of course be helpful not only to young people, but to anyone who works with the youth in the community. For all of us, it is a valuable learning tool, as we all need to be aware of how the law affects us.

The Handbook has been distributed through secondary schools in Manitoba and community agencies. It is available on MARL'S web site. We are grateful for the support of the Manitoba Law Foundation and the Department of Justice Canada for making this project possible.