Youth Court Process
The young person must attend the Youth Court specified at the
time and date set by the police.
If the young person was not granted bail, they will be taken to
court by social services or the police, depending on who housed the
young person from time of charge until the court appearance.
The person(s) with parental responsibility for the young person
should also attend court.
If the young person was given bail, this is an undertaking to
attend the specified Youth Court at the time and date set by the
police. The person(s) with parental responsibility for the young
person should also attend court.
Implementation of Orders
An order is made by the Courts when someone is found guilty of
an offence. It details what punishment people must receive for
their offences.
A community sentence, or a non-custodial sentence, means that
people serve their punishment in the community.
The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is a
non-departmental public body. The aim of the Youth Justice Board is
to prevent offending by children and young people.
When young people first get into trouble, behave antisocially or
commit minor offences, they can be dealt with outside of the court
system. If children are behaving antisocially, the police and local
authority can use a variety of pre-court orders including:
- acceptable Behaviour Contracts
- antisocial Behaviour Orders
- local Child Curfews
- child Safety Orders
If they have committed a first or second minor offence, a system
of Reprimands and Final Warnings can be used by the police.
The purpose of these pre-court orders is to stop young people
getting sucked into the Youth Justice System too early, whilst
still offering them the help and support they need to stop
offending.
The Youth Justice Board website shows how the Youth Justice System
works, what and who is involved.
Alternatively, there is a"Referral Orders and Youth Offender
Panels - Guidance for Courts, Youth Offending Teams and Youth
Offender Panels"document available to view on the Home Office
website.
Parenting Order
This order may be imposed for up to one year and requires
parents to comply with any requirements of the order, and to attend
counselling or guidance sessions at least once a week for a period
of three months. The order is available for the parents of any
young person convicted of an offence, provided the court is
satisfied that the order will assist in preventing further
offending.
