Courts
Prep Time:
Crime and Justice
Cook Time:
Serves:
Courts
Level:
5
About the Recipe
If you are 10 to 17 and charged with a crime in England or Wales, your case will usually be heard in a youth court. Knowing what to expect helps, and you can always ask for things to be explained again.
Ingredients
If you are in danger right now, call 999.
If you have a court date, ask for a legal adviser and tell them anything you do not understand. Your youth offending team worker, your school or a trusted adult can also help you get ready.
If you are arrested, ask for free legal advice. You can ask for the duty solicitor, who is independent of the police. If you are under 18, the police must also find an appropriate adult to be with you.
Preparation
Know this in 60 seconds
→ If you are 10 to 17 and charged with a crime in England or Wales, your case will usually be heard in a youth court, not an adult court.
→ A youth court is built for young people. If you are under 16, a parent or guardian normally has to come with you.
→ Only the most serious cases, such as homicide, go to the Crown Court.
→ If you say you are guilty early on, the court can take that into account when it decides your sentence.
→ The court has to think about your age, how mature you are and what you understand. You can ask for things to be explained again.
What happens at court
Which court. A child under 10 cannot be guilty of a crime. From 10 to 17, cases are normally heard in the youth court. The Crown Court is kept for the most serious cases, such as homicide. Some cases can start in the youth court and be sent up to the Crown Court.
Who comes with you. If you are under 16, a parent or guardian normally has to come to every hearing, unless that would be unreasonable. For 16 and 17 year olds the court can ask for it.
Who is there. Magistrates or a judge decide the case. Your lawyer sits close to you, and court staff can find a private place for you to talk. You should be able to sit with a parent, carer or another adult who supports you.
First hearing. The court asks how you plead: guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty at the first hearing, the court can take that into account when it sentences you. The court should not pressure you to plead.
Bail or remand. Until the case is decided you may be given bail. Being held in youth detention is meant to be a last resort.
Trial. If you plead not guilty, there is a trial. The court can make changes so you can follow what is happening, such as simple language, breaks, or someone to help you communicate.
Sentence. The court looks at your age, how mature you are and your welfare. Options range from a discharge or a referral order up to a youth rehabilitation order, and, in the most serious cases, detention.
Your rights, in plain English
→ The court has to think about your age, how mature you are and what you can understand.
→ If you find it hard to understand things, because of a learning difficulty, a mental health need or special educational needs, the court has to take that into account all the way through.
→ You should not be pushed into saying you are guilty. If you are unsure, you can ask to speak to your legal adviser first.
→ In some serious cases, a court can only give you a detention and training order if you have a legal representative.
→ You have the right to free legal advice. If you do not have a lawyer, a duty lawyer at court can support you.
→ At the police station you also have the right to free legal advice, and you can ask for the duty solicitor, who is independent of the police. If you are under 18, the police must find an appropriate adult to be with you.
→ Ask for anything to be explained again. Asking is always the right move.
This page is general information, not legal advice.