What to do before going to court
You can get free legal help when you go to court. It is important to get this, even if you want to plead guilty. To get a solicitor, you can:
- visit The Law Society website
- speak to the duty solicitor at court
This page is about Youth Courts. If you are told to attend Crown Court, you should speak to a solicitor straight away as this is more serious.
What is a Youth Court?
A Youth Court is a magistrates' court for children aged 10 to 17. You will usually see:
- three magistrates (they help make decisions)
- a legal advisor (who helps the magistrates)
- a prosecutor (who talks about what the police say happened)
- your solicitor (who helps you)
If you are under 16 your parents or guardians must come with you. If you are 16 or 17, it is still really helpful if they come to support you. An officer from the Youth Justice Service will also be there to help and advise you.
The public are not allowed in Youth Court. Reporters might be there, but they can only report on general details, not your name or personal details.
A Youth Court is less formal than an adult court, but you should:
- think about what you want to say
- dress smartly
- arrive on time
- stay calm and be polite while you are there
What happens if you plead guilty
If you plead guilty, the court may ask the Youth Justice Service to write a report about you. This is so they can learn about you and your background. This helps them come to a decision about what should happen next.
What happens if you plead not guilty
If you plead not guilty, the court will ask you questions about what happened. They will also speak to the police and witnesses. If the court decides you are guilty, they will then make a decision about what happens next.
Courts can give different outcomes, including:
- an absolute or conditional discharge: no further punishment is needed. If it is a conditional discharge, you must stay out of trouble for a certain time
- a referral order: for a first offence. You will have to meet regularly with a youth referral panel for three to 12 months. The panel will help you make better choices and do more positive things
- a fine. If you are under 16 then your parent or guardian must make sure it is paid
- driving penalties: if the crime was a driving offence
- youth rehabilitation order: a community sentence that can last up to three years. It may include:
- a programme or group activities
- curfew and electronic monitoring
- drug treatment
- education or training
- unpaid work
- intensive supervision and surveillance (pdf / 511 KB)
- custody: being sent to a secure centre. This only happens in very serious cases. You can get training, education and recreation while there
Criminal records
If you are under 18 and plead guilty or are found guilty, you may get a childhood conviction. This will be recorded on the police system. If you are 18 you will be treated as an adult. Any conviction will give you a criminal record. How long it stays on your record is up to the court.
More information
The Youth Justice Legal Centre has produced information sheets for children and families to help you to understand convictions and cautions and what it means for you.