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YOUTH CRIME
Attending at the Police Station or Youth Court can be extremely daunting for a young person, especially if this is their first offence. We offer support and legal advice to provide any youth and strive to achieve the best outcome.
WHY CHOOSE HAYGARTH JONES?
At Haygarth Jones Solicitors, we have extensive experience in representing young people who have fallen foul of the criminal justice system. We offer full representation at both the Police Station and Youth Court.
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Our solicitors are dedicated to getting the best possible result for their young clients wherever they are representing them.
We want to ensure that the mistakes they have made when they are young do not have serious implications later on in life.
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HERE TO HELP
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Any individual under the age of 18 is seen as a youth in the eyes of the law. Children can be held criminally responsible from the age of 10.
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If a young person is to be interviewed by the Police then they must have another person present who is over the age of 18. This person is known as an 'Appropriate Adult'. The law states that this must be either a parent, guardian or social worker, however, if none of these are available then any person over the age of 18 can be used. The role of the Appropriate Adult is not to provide legal advice but to ensure the welfare of the young person during the interview. If the suggested Appropriate Adult is involved in the case as a potential witness then it would be advisable that they are not present during the interview.
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It is vital that you contact us upon the first notification of any Police Station interview. Our criminal solicitors are available 24/7 so if your child is arrested through the night then we can still attend upon them.
OUR FEES
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If you are under the age of 18, then you will automatically be deemed unable to pay for your representation and you will be eligible for Legal Aid. This is at both the Police Station and Youth Court.
If you need representation at the Youth Court then contact our Criminal Department on 01744 757877 or email at enquiries@haygarthjones.co.uk.
YOUTH COURT PROCESS AND PROCEDURE:
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If you are charged with a criminal offence then your parents/guardian will receive a 'summons' requiring you to attend Court. The Youth Court is a less formal environment than a Magistrates Court and Crown Court. The public are not allowed to enter the Youth Court, however, the media are allowed. There are reporting restrictions on the media which protects the identity of anyone under-18. These restrictions can be lifted or amended by the Court under the terms of an Order.
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Upon your attendance at Court, you must be with a parent/guardian and you will be met by your solicitor. A member of the Youth Offending Team will also be present.
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Once the Court is ready, the Court Usher will call you into the Court room and the Legal Advisor will read out the offence(s) you have been charged with and ask you to indicate your plea.
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Your case is usually heard before three Magistrates (members of the local community), however, there are times when a District Judge may hear the case instead. Upon listening to all of the evidence, the Magistrates or District Judge will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty. This is due to there being no jury at the Youth Court. If you are found guilty, the Magistrates or District Judge will decide the appropriate sentence.
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If an individual under the age of 18 commits a more serious crime, the Youth Court may decide to send the case to the Crown Court. If this happens, a new hearing date will be set and you will either be released on bail or sent to custody. If the case is sent to the Crown Court, we have close links with Barrister's Chambers and will carefully choose a Barrister on the basis of their experience and dedication to the case/client.