thisORthat;c-424873 wrote
But sadly if it's their first criminal offence it'll go to divergence (or whatever that's called).
Where defendants are felted away from actual criminal charges and get a slap on the wrist (pay a fine).
The programs you're referring to are collectively known as "diversion" programs, designed to keep low and first / early offenders out of prison, and alleviating a tremendous financial burden on taxpayers.
Fun fact, Canada at one point had one of the highest incarceration rates for youth in the world! Programs such as diversion have turned that trend around, and crimes rates continue to be lower than they had been when they changed the laws (2003 ish). So, they work!
Mark