My first arrest happened when I was 16 years old in the last week of June 1991. A short time earlier, I had befriended someone from Chinatown who had connections to the triads (Chinese mafia). We got along well and came up with the idea of shoplifting and then on-selling designer clothes to them. It was not about the money; it was about winning their favour (and, for me, gaining their protection). On the day that I got arrested, my friend and I went in the afternoon to a downtown Toronto department store. I had a “booster” bag which I would use to conceal the goods. My friend was there to keep a watchful eye. All went smoothly. However, as we exited the store, we were approached by two buffed persons who identified themselves as security. I looked at my friend, panicked, and yelled “run!” I ran onto the street as fast as I could and dropped the bag, and thought that would be that. However, security continued to pursue me (allowing my friend to flee). After a chase of about 50 metres, I felt the arms of one of them grab me from behind. I fought him with all…
I was arrested twice as a teenager. (No criminal record by grace of laws pertaining to young offenders.) I grew up at a time ('80s and '90s) in Toronto when youth gangs were prevalent in my neighbourhood. However, up until age 16, I had mostly avoided that subculture as I had gravitated towards church when I was young. My first arrest was related to a shoplifting incident that morphed into a bloody affair after trying to run away from mall security when I was confronted for my deed. The second arrest was for an incident at school where the victim was hospitalised and I was expelled. I was held briefly at a youth detention facility on my first arrest. I was initially frightened when placed there, but it turned out that half of the other people detained with me were childhood friends or friends of friends. I was represented in the courts both times by Mr Monette, my Legal Aid-assigned lawyer. The Crown (prosecution) sought six months closed custody upon my second conviction, based on the recommendation of my (unsympathetic) probation officer. However, my lawyer pushed back. His strategy was to seek a more lenient sentence by submitting positive character… 
