Youth Courts
What is the youth court?
The Youth Court is a specialist court for defendants aged 10 – 17 years of age. If you are in this age range but charged with a really serious offence, your case may be transferred from the Youth Court to the Crown Court.
The aim of the Youth Court is to rehabilitate young people and attempt to keep them out of trouble in the future. The Youth Offending Team work closely with the court to try and provide the best sentencing options which will prevent the young person becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
Youth Courts tend to be located within a Magistrates’ Court building (although they can have separate premises). They provide a less intimidating environment for the young person, although they are adjudicated upon by district judges and Magistrates' alike.
What type of sentences can the Youth Court impose?
The Youth Court can impose one of the following sentences;
Conditional discharge - The offence is marked with a conditional discharge. As long as the defendant does not commit any further offences for the period specified, there will be no further punishment. If however there is a further offence, the court can re open the original offence.
Referral orders - These must given where a youth has no previous convictions and pleads guilty to an offence (provided that a conditional discharge or period of detention is unsuitable). The young person signs a contract with the youth offending team, and partakes in a number of awareness schemes and projects such as victim awareness. Referral orders can last anywhere between 3 months and 12 months.
Fine - Fines can be given in the Youth Court. If the offender is between 14 and 17 years of age the maximum fine is £1000 and if the offender is between 10 and 13 the maximum fine is £250.
Youth community order - This is a generic order which is set for a specified period of time. The court in conjunction with the youth offending team will consider what conditions to attach to the order which suitably aim to rehabilitate and punish the young person. For example periods of supervision or reparation or a curfew could be attached.
Detention and training order - These are only imposed for the most serious of offences, and where all potential avenues have been explored by the youth offending team with regards to a community sentence. Detention and training orders are for a specified period between four months and 2 years. Half the time is spent in detention and half is spent subject to supervision in the community working in close proximity with the youth offending team. Where a young person commits a 'grave crime' or is considered to be dangerous the Youth Court can transfer the case to the Crown Court where there are more extensive sentencing powers.
<< FAQs |
