Youth A&Q Flashcards
What constitutes as a youth in criminal litigation?
All offenders who are aged 17 and under
What is the aim of the youth justice system?
1) To prevent children and young people from offending s.37 Crime and Disorder Act 1998
2) To have regard to the welfare if the children or young person s. 44 Children and Young Persons Act 1933
Can a child under the age of 10 be guilty of an offence?
No
It is conclusively presumed that no child under the age of 10 can be guilty of an offence
What is the term used to refer to those under 18 who pass through the criminal justice system?
Juvenile
What is the term used to refer to those 18 who pass through the criminal justice system?
Adult
What is the term used to refer to those under 14 who pass through the criminal justice system?
Child
The Children and Young Persons Act
What is the term used to refer to those between 14 and 17 who pass through the criminal justice system?
Young Person
The Children and Young Persons Act
What does the term PYO (Persistent Young Offender) mean?
(No statutory definition)
BUT
A young person is likely to be categorised as a PYO if they have been convicted of or made subject to pre-conduct disposal that involve admission or finding of guilt, in relation to impressionable offence on at least 3 occasions in the past 12 months.
What does the term juvenile mean in the criminal justice system?
A person who is under the age of 18
What does the term adult mean in the criminal justice system?
Aged 18 or over.
With reference to sentence procedure ‘adult’ sometimes means a person aged 21 or over, as that is the age an offender becomes liable to imprisonment rather than detention in a Young Offender Institution
What does the term adult mean in sentencing procedures?
Aged 21 or over
With reference to sentence procedure ‘adult’ sometimes means a person aged 21 or over, as that is the age an offender becomes liable to imprisonment rather than detention in a Young Offender Institution
What does the term child mean in the criminal justice system?
Person under the age 14 years old
What does the term young person mean in the criminal justice system?
A person aged between 14 and 17 (inclusive)
What is the presumption for a youth in the criminal justice system?
There is a presumption that youths will be dealt with by the youth court for nearly all offence, even those classed as indictable only for adults.
Which types of judges are in a youth court?
1) District judge sitting alone
or
2) Not more than 3 magistrates
*Both types of judges are required to undergo specialist training to sit in the youth court
How can a District judge or magistrate sit in a youth court?
By undergoing specialist training to sit in the youth court
Are there any reporting restrictions in the youth court?
Yes
Reporting restrictions apply automatically to those who appear in the youth court. They can be lifted although this is rare, especially before conviction
Can reporting restriction be lifted in the youth court?
Yes
Although this is rare
Are there any reporting restrictions in an adult magistrates’ court and Crown Court?
They are discretionary
Is a youth court a public court?
No
Is an adult magistrates’ court a public court?
Yes
Is a Crown Court (not sitting in chambers) a public court?
Yes
Is a Crown Court (sitting in chambers) a public court?
No
Who can be present in a youth court?
1) Members and officers/ officials of the court
2) Parties to the case before the court
3) Witnesses and other persons directly concerned in the case
4) Bona fide representative of newspaper or news agencies (BUT note reporting restrictions
5) Such other persons as the court may specially authorise to be present
Is the public excluded from the adult magistrates court when a youth is appearing there as a defendant?
No
unless they are sitting in chambers
Is the public excluded from the adult Crown Court when a youth is appearing there as a defendant?
No
unless they are sitting in chambers
Is the public excluded from the adult magistrates court when a youth is appearing there as a witness?
No
Is the public excluded from the adult Crown Court when a youth is appearing there as a witness?
No
Is the public excluded from the adult Crown Court sitting in chambers when a youth is appearing there as a defendant?
Yes
When must an accused be required a parent or guardian to attend with the youth at all stages of the proceedings?
Under 16
(Unless and to the extent that is court is satisfied that it would be reasonable to require such attendance, having regard to the circumstances of the case.)
In what circumstances would the court require to remove the attendance of a parent or guardian, if the accused is under 16?
Unless and to the extent that is court is satisfied that it would be reasonable to require such attendance, having regard to the circumstances of the case.
When may an accused be required a parent or guardian to attend with the youth at all stages of the proceedings?
If the accused is aged 16 or 17.
Does an adoptive parent constitute as a parent in the criminal justice system?
Yes
What is the definition of a guardian?
Anyone who has for the time being care of the child or young person
When can a local authority be present in the youth court?
If the youth is under the care of the local authority their representative must (or may) attend court instead of, or sometimes in addition to, the parent.
How formal is a youth court formal proceedings
Proceedings are more informal than the adult magistrates and Crown Court.
How is the youth court more informal than adult courts?
1) lawyer and witnesses remain seated
2) Lawyers are not robed
3) The youth sits in a chair in the dock and usually their parent or guardian sits next to the youth and lawyers may sit next to their client
4) Rather than communicating via the solicitor, magistrates prefer to talk directly with the defendants and their parents
5) Justices who sit on youth court benches are specially trained
6) The youth and youth witness are addressed by their first names
7) If the youth or youth witness needs to take an oath this will be ‘to promise’ to tell the truth, as opposed ‘to swear’ as in adult magistrates court
8) language used differently - eg: ‘finding of guilt’ is a conviction and ‘order made on a finding of guilt’ is a sentence
Different terms are used to those who pass through the criminal justice system, what determines which term will be used?
Age
How are juvenile treated in the police station?
As a vulnerable suspect
What protection is provided for juveniles at a police station?
Same protection under PACE as adults
BUT
With additional safeguards (Appropriate Adults)
What is the meaning of an Appropriate Adult?
An Appropriate Adult is someone who attends the police station to look after the welfare of the suspect.
Is an Appropriate exclusive to juveniles?
No
Anyone that is considered a vulnerable suspect.
When will an individual be treated as a juvenile?
‘Anyone who appears to be under 18, in the absence of clear evidence that they are older, be treated as a juvenile.’
What does necessity for ‘clear evidence’ that a detainee is 18 or older mean?
That were there is any doubt, a precautionary approach must be adopted by the custody officer and the police must treat the detainee as a juvenile, any disputes as to age will be for a court to determine if the suspect is charged with an offence.
Who should be informed of the juvenile’s arrest?
The person responsible for the juvenile’s welfare
and
The Appropriate Adult (Who may or may not be the same person who has responsibility for the welfare of the child)
When should the person responsible for the juvenile’s welfare be informed of the juvenile’s arrest?
must be informed as soon as practicable
What should the person responsible for the juvenile’s welfare be informed of when contacted by the police station?
1) Juvenile has been arrested
2) Why the juvenile has been arrested
and
3) Where the juvenile is being detained
What should the Appropriate Adult be informed of when contacted by the police station?
1) Grounds for the juvenile’s detention
2) Whereabouts of the Juvenile
and
3) Asked to attend the police station
Who can act as an Appropriate Adult for a juvenile?
1) Parent, guardian or anyone else with parental responsibility
2) a social worker
or
3) any other responsible adult who is not a police officer
Who can NOT act as an Appropriate Adult for a juvenile?
Anyone who is:
1) suspected of the involvement of the offence
2) The victim
3) A witness
4) Involved in the investigation
5) Have received admissions prior to attending to act as the Appropriate Adult
6) A solicitor or independent custody visitor who is present at the police station and acting that capacity
7) An estranged parent if the juvenile specifically objects to it
How can the Youth Offending Teams help juvenile in a police station?
YOT may have individuals available to as an Appropriate Adult, if necessary or there may be groups of trained volunteers available to carry out the role.
If a juvenile admits, or in the presence of a, an offence to a social worker or a member of a youth offending team other than during the time that person is acting as the juvenile’s appropriate adult, can they still continue to act as an appropriate adult?
No
AND
Another appropriate adult should be appointed in the interest of justice
If a venerable persons prefers a relative to better qualified stranger, who should be the appropriate adult?
The relative, if practicable
Their wishes should, if practicable, be respected.
What is the role of an Appropriate Adult?
1) Advise the juvenile being questioned
2) observe whether the interview is being conducted properly and fairly
and
3) Facilitate communication with the juvenile being interviewed
Is the Appropriate Adult role a passive role?
No
What is the purpose of the Appropriate Adult’s presence?
The AA’s presence is to help the juvenile cope with the demands of the custody and questioning and to appreciate the seriousness of the situation
Is an appropriate adult subject to legal privilege?
No
*The detainee should always be given an opportunity, when an appropriate adult is called to the police station, to consult privately with a solicitor in the appropriate adult’s absence if they want.
Can the appropriate adult instruct a solicitor on behalf of the juvenile?
Yes
Can the appropriate adult consult the custody record?
Yes
AA has the right to consult the custody record
Can the appropriate adult consult the juvenile in private at any time?
Yes
The AA has the right to consult the juvenile in private at any time
Is there a duty of confidentiality owed by the appropriate adult?
No
There is no duty of confidentiality owed by an AA
When should the appropriate adult be present?
AA should be present when the juvenile is:
1) being read their rights
2) being strip searched or subjected to an intimate search
3) being interviewed
4) attending identification procedures
or
5) being charged
Can a juvenile be interviewed or asked to sign anything in the absence of an appropriate adult?
No
Unless
1) authorised by a superintendent or above
and
2) only if they believe delay will have certain consequences and is satisfied that the interview would not significantly harm the juvenile’s physical or mental state.
Can a chief inspector authorise an interview in absence of an appropriate adult?
No
Only a superintendent or above can
If a juvenile is cautioned in the absence of an appropriate adult, should the caution be repeated in the presence of an appropriate adult?
Yes
If a juvenile is cautioned in the absence of an appropriate adult, the caution MUST be repeated in the AA’s presence
What is required for a juvenile to participate in any ID procedure?
The consent of the juvenile’ parent/guardian
+
Juvenile’s consent (unless under 14)