1. A. For the purposes of the Youthful Offender Act:

   1. 1. "Youthful offender" means a person:

      1. a. thirteen (13), fourteen (14), fifteen (15), sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age who is charged with murder in the first degree and certified as a youthful offender as provided by Section 7306-2.5 of this title,
      2. b. fifteen (15), sixteen (16), and seventeen (17) years of age and charged with a crime listed in subsection A of Section 7306-2.6 of this title, and
      3. c. fourteen (14), fifteen (15), sixteen (16), or seventeen (17) years of age and certified as a youthful offender as provided by Section 7306-2.7 of this title.
   2. 2. "Sentenced as a youthful offender" means the imposition of a court order making disposition of a youthful offender as provided by Section 7306-2.9 of this title.
2. B. It is the purpose of the Youthful Offender Act to better ensure the public safety by holding youths accountable for the commission of serious crimes, while affording courts methods of rehabilitation for those youths the courts determine, at their discretion, may be amenable to such methods. It is the further purpose of the Youthful Offender Act to allow those youthful offenders whom the courts find to be amenable to rehabilitation by the methods prescribed in the Youthful Offender Act to be placed in the custody or under the supervision of the Office of Juvenile Affairs for the purpose of accessing the rehabilitative programs provided by that Office and thereby, upon good conduct and successful completion of such programs, avoid conviction for a crime.

Laws 1994, HB 2640, c. 290, § 19, emerg. eff. July 1, 1996; Amended by Laws 1995, HB 1978, c. 352, § 165, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995; Renumbered from 10 O.S. § 1507.16 by Laws 1995, HB 1978, c. 352, § 199, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995.