17 versus 15

So in case you haven't heard of it - Canada has "The Young Offenders Act"...which pretty much states that if someone does something under the age of 17 and charges are not pressed against them (I am not 100% sure of the full definition - this is just the gist of it), then the crime they've committed will not reflect on their criminal record once they've turned 18.
For example, someone who is under 17 years of age beats up someone to the point that surgery was required to correct their body (i.e. cheek plate) - is protected in the sense that their name would not be released to the media and they do not go to jail.  The previous is an example of what happened to an old friend's father.
So if you're -17 and murder someone, rape someone (or multiple somebodies), etc. then you're criminal record free until you turn 18 is how I understand it *but might not be 100% correct if formal charges are laid*.
This works out in favour of the criminal every time unfortunately.  Sure, there's the guilt factor - but how many people who are guilty actually FEEL bad and remorse for what they've done?  Probably not many if they end up in jail after 18 years of age for a similar offence.
Personally, if you're old enough to get dressed, have a job, go to school and do not have an un-stable condition or mind-frame - yes you should be tried as an adult.  Age varies - not really sure what I believe in at this point because there are SO many factors...anyway - what scares me about this YOA is that their identity is protected...if a child was beaten and raped and left for dead pretty much - and I lived in the area - I would certainly want to know who was behind it.  Not so I could go after them - but to protect my family and friends...you would think it would be fair information to share...however - someone COULD turn over a new leaf ...

So how does this tie with Finland?  During our knitting group I hosted tonight, the topic of the 4-year-old girl who bumped into an elderly lady on her bicycle and she broke her hip and eventually died (but not sure if that was the cause of death) a month later - came up.  We discussed our opinions and what had happened via English and Finnish translators.  I then brought up the Youth Protection Act and the bits that I knew about it and I asked if they had anything similar...and they said the age is 15.

After the age of 15 - you are tried and charged as an adult committing the crime.  (I do not know if their name/identity is fully protected like in Canada - if anybody knows feel free to comment.)  Thanks!