Youth Court

Children under the age of 10 are too young to be guilty of a criminal offence and so do have to appear in court even if they committed an act which for someone older would amount to a criminal offence.

If a youth from the age of 10 to 17 is charged or summoned for an offence, the case will usually be in the youth court, except in certain circumstances.

Youth justice is different from adult justice. The aim of the court is to prevent offending by young people, not punish them. The youth courts are supposed to consider the youth’s welfare when making decisions about him or her.

The youth court is a court for people under 18, and it is part of the magistrate’s court system.

Being prosecuted for a criminal offence can be an unpleasant ordeal for an adult. For a child or youth it can be a terrible experience.  But it is not something that a child or young person should have to go through without someone fighting for them.

The most important thing is to find a solicitor who is sensitive on the one hand, and on the other hand is a specialist youth court criminal solicitor and that is where we can help.