The boy's charges were ultimately withdrawn once defence lawyer Ben Leung and prosecutor Dane Rolfe got hold of the file. Even if the teen had been convicted, his breach charges would not have resulted in a jail sentence for a first offence. On Friday, Leung sent a letter to the province's justice minister, calling on the government to fund a duty counsel lawyer so children do not have to represent themselves at bail hearings. A transcript of the first court appearance shows the prosecutor and justice of the peace discussing the boy's living situation. The next day, Leung was acting as duty counsel in Siksika court when he realized the youth had been sitting for days behind bars.

Source: CBC News October 27, 2017 22:06 UTC