A trial may proceed in the Supreme Court or in the Territorial Court depending on the type of charge brought against the young person and the election made by the accused young person.  In all instances, the particular court that hears the case is designated as the "Youth Justice Court" and the presiding judge is deemed to be a "Youth Justice Court Judge".

The fundamental principle of the youth criminal justice system is that the Youth Justice Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases dealing with young persons that are brought to court and cannot be disposed of through some alternative community-based measures. The majority of the cases under this legislation are heard by the Territorial Court as part of its regular sittings in Yellowknife and throughout the Territories on regular circuits.