Children between the ages of 10 and 17 (inclusive) fall within the ambit of the youth justice system. The relevant age for sentencing is the age at date of conviction.
Offenders aged 17 and under may be tried in the youth courts at a magistrates’ court, in an adult magistrates’ court, or in the Crown Court. Youth courts differ from magistrates’ courts as they have certain reporting restrictions, they are not open court hearings, and they differ from the Crown Court in that advocates do not wear robes or wigs.
When sentencing a child or young person the court must have regard to preventing offending and the welfare of the child/young person. Rehabilitation remains at the forefront of sentencing those under 18.
View the Explainer here.
