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Youth Courts
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The youth court is a section of the magistrate’s court and is located in the same building. The youth court differs from the magistrate’s court as it deals with young persons aged 10-17 who have alleged to have committed offences. The youth court is less formal and more open than the magistrates and focus on engaging with young persons. The youth court is a private place and members of the public are not allowed in. Although the press can write about a particular offence they are not permitted to disclose details of the young person or their family.
The youth court usually consist of the following:
1) The Magistrates
Magistrates are members of the local community who volunteer to be magistrates. Their role is to listen to what everyone has to say and decide if an offence has been committed and how it should be dealt with. They have powers to impose detention and training orders of up to 24 months and impose a range of community based sentences. Magistrates usually sit as a panel of three and one acts as chair who has responsibility of addressing the court.
2) District judge
A District Judge is a legally trained legal professional who has same role as the magistrates but will deal with more complex cases.
3) Justice clerk
The justice clerk is a legally trained person whose role is to ensure the smooth running of the court and give advice on the law to magistrates.
4) Crown Prosecution Service
The crown prosecutions service will have a solicitor in court whose role is to present the case against the young person. They will present all the facts to the magistrates who will then make a decision. The CPS work closely with the police to gather all evidence against the young person.
Youth Courts Team
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