Keyword

Youth Court

Children aged from 10 to 17 are generally tried in the youth court where they are dealt with by specially trained magistrates. Cases will be sent to the Crown Court if a child is charged with another person aged 18 or over, or is charged with murder or manslaughter. A magistrate may also refer a case to the Crown Court if a child is charged with a 'grave' offence (e.g. indecent assault or dangerous driving) and the magistrate decides that, if convicted, the appropriate sentence would be more than they have the power to pass. The youth court was introduced in 1992 and replaced the juvenile court; the juvenile court dealt only with offenders aged 16 and under.