What is a Court Report?
A Court Report can be requested by Magistrates and Judges. It gives them information and advice to help them decide what they should do about your offending.
There are several types of Court Report:
- if the offences are serious, or the Court is considering a heavy punishment, then they will usually adjourn (put back) your case so that a detailed Report can be prepared
- if this is your first time in Court, or the offences aren’t too serious, then a brief written Report or even a spoken one may be sufficient
Your solicitor can explain what is happening for you.
Who provides the Report?
Court Reports for young people are provided by staff from the Youth Justice Service. They are specially trained to do this, and their Reports should comply to National Standards set by the Youth Justice Board.
What's in a Court Report?
That depends on what kind of Report has been requested. Some are very detailed and thorough. Some just concentrate on basic information.
Most Court Reports will include:
- details of your offence/s
- the seriousness of your offence/s
- the harm caused to others
- your attitude to the offence/s
- your home and family life
- the views of your parents/carers
- your education or employment
- risk of further offending
- proposed sentence
- parental responsibility
What is the report based on?
The YJS worker will always interview you, and usually talk to your parents if you are under 17-years-old. It’s very important that you try to be honest and sensible about this, as your attitude to the offences is an important factor in sentencing.
They will also see the evidence against you. This includes records of your Police interview/s, and details of your previous offences (if any).
Depending on how serious the case is, they will usually consult other professionals who know you - e.g., social workers, youth workers or your teachers.
Who sees the report?
All the officials and Court staff involved in your Hearing can see it. You and your parents can also read it with your Solicitor, before the Hearing.
After the hearing it will be kept on file, but only officials will be allowed to see it. Reports are never shown to the public, the press or to victims of offences.
What if I don’t agree with it?
If the Report is factually wrong, or you think it is unfair, then you can say so during the Hearing. You can also make a complaint.
What about parental responsibility?
Parents are expected to take proper care to ensure that their children don’t get into trouble. When young people do offend, Courts must decide how much of the responsibility belongs with the parents.
The North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service is
- made up of expert staff from Children’s Social Care, Police, Probation, Education and Health
- working in active partnership with local agencies and communities to prevent offending by young people
- committed to rigorous National Standards for the supervision and management of young offenders in the community
- sensitive to the needs and rights of victims and working to the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
- committed to treating all service users with respect, fairness, honesty and dignity
- committed to fair treatment regardless of race, religion, culture, disability or sexual orientation
If you would like more information, or if you wish to complain about any YJS service you have received, please write to me at any of the offices.
Andy Dukes
Youth Justice Team Manager
Where to find us
Harrogate Area Offices
Delta House,
12b North Park Road,
Harrogate,
HG1 5PG
Oak Beck House
Woodfield Road,
Harrogate,
HG1 4HZ
Scarborough Area Office
Castle House,
10-14 Elders Street,
Scarborough,
YO11 1DZ
Selby Area Office
Community House (1st Floor),
Portholme Crescent,
Selby,
YO8 4QQ
Hambleton and Richmond Area Office
County Hall,
Racecourse Lane,
Romanby,
Northallerton,
DL7 8AD
Parents often have to pay Fines and Compensation and could also be placed under a Parenting Order in serious cases.