Crime Videos

Date when Video was Published: 03/10/2023

Youth Court / Juveniles It's important to understand the separate process which applies for young people who come through the criminal courts as it is different to that which operates in adult court proceedings. When a juvenile is charged with a criminal offence, they will be dealt with by the youth court. This is a specialized court designed to address cases involving young people. In this court, specially trained magistrates or a district judge will hear the case. For very serious offences, the case may be referred to a Crown Court, presided over by a judge and determined by a jury. When arriving at court, expect security checks upon entry. You may not see your name published on a public list so you should ask which courtroom you have been assigned to with the security desk or speak with a list caller. You must inform the list caller of your arrival. For young people aged 16 or below, a parent or guardian should accompany them to court. Even if you're older, having an adult for support is advisable. A representative from Duncan Lewis will meet you at court early to consult with you before proceeding. They will advise you on the law, the allegations, the evidence the prosecution rely on and if it is your first hearing they will help you make a decision as to the correct plea to enter. Courtrooms may seem intimidating, but remember, it's okay to ask your solicitor for clarification on anything you aren’t sure about. The youth court will address you by your first name. When spoken to you should address the other people in court as sir or madam. The clerk of the court will commence the hearing by asking you to confirm your name, date of birth and address and identify any adults attending with you. At the first hearing, you will be asked to enter your plea to the charges which will be read to you. If the youth court decide to continue to deal with your case, pleading not guilty will lead to a trial date being set some time in the future. In the meantime, you will meet with your solicitors and work together to prepare your defence and collect your evidence. If you were to plead guilty, in certain circumstances the court could proceed to immediate sentencing or may request an adjournment so that a pre-sentence report can be prepared by the Youth Offending Team. During that adjournment, the Youth Offending officers will meet with you so as to create a report assessing your circumstances, background, health and education, comments on the offences to which you are being sentenced and they will finally make a recommendation to the court for a suitable sentence. Once the report is ready, you will return to court with your solicitor who will mitigate on your behalf and ask for the most lenient sentence the court can pass. The Court will then give its decision. At Duncan Lewis, our experienced crime lawyers are here to guide you through every stage of your case. Whether you're facing potential charges, anticipating an arrest, or need representation during a police interview, our team can help you. For more information, please visit our website, or call 033 3772 0409 to speak to one our specialist.

Disclaimer

This video content was created on 03/10/2023 to provide an overview of the legal position and the information was correct at the time this video was created. This video has been produced for purposes of generic information and marketing purposes only. While the information on this site is about legal issues, it is not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for the particularised advice of your own legal advisor. Please consult one of our lawyers to provide you with advice and assistance on any matters touched on this video. Viewing of this video does not create legally binding advice and does not create a retainer with Duncan Lewis Solicitors. This video is Copyrighted at Duncan Lewis Solicitors 2023. Any illegal reproduction of this content is prohibited and will result in immediate legal action.