Young Offenders and the Law

Under 10

You cannot be guilty of a criminal offence.

You can be taken into local authority care if you are beyond the control of a parent or guardian. In extreme cases, with the permission of the Health secretary, you can be put in a secure community home.

10 – 13

A child over 10 is capable of a criminal offence, but can only be convicted in court if he/she knows the difference between right and wrong.

Greater use is being made of informal methods instead of courts: eg caution by police, making amends such as repairing damaged property.

Persistent offenders can be dealt with by Young Courts except in cases of murder or manslaughter which are heard in adult Crown Courts.

For grave crimes this age group can be put in secure community homes.

Very disturbed and delinquent children can be placed in a secure Youth Treatment Centre until the age of 18, but only with the Health Secretary’s permission. Such cases are very rare.

Young offenders who appear in court can be:

-fined or made to pay compensation (parents or guardians are ordered to pay);

-put under the supervision of a social worker or probation officer;

-given an “absolute discharge” for trivial crimes. This means they are not punished.

14+

Between 14 and 16, a child is legally defined as a “young person” and presumed to know the difference between right and wrong.

The same penalties apply as for 10 to 13 age group but the risk of a custodial sentence increases.

From 14-17: youngsters accused of serious offences, which for an adult would carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, can be tried by the adult Crown Court.

15: offenders can be locked up in a Young Offender Institution for 2 to 12 months. They can also be held in police custody to await trial if no secure local-authority accommodation is available or if the court decides that this is necessary to protect the public.

16: offenders can be ordered to do community service, can be put on probation and are liable to pay fines or compensation themselves.

17: offenders are still dealt with by Youth courts but can be held in custody in the same way as an adult if they are thought likely to go missing or commit another crime.

5.Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1)You can be guilty of a criminal offence at 8.

2)A child of 10 can be convicted in court.

3)A child of 13 is punished even for trivial crimes.

4)At 15, a young criminal faces the same penalties as the 10 to 13 age group.

5)Offenders of 17 are still dealt with by Youth Court.

6.Read the following text.