www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Youth Justice
Children aged 10 and over are considered to be legally responsible for their behaviour and can be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.
Under the age of 10, children cannot be arrested but there are other legal measures (such as a Child Safety Order) that can be taken and voluntary agreements (such as an Acceptable Behaviour Contract) can be made.
There is a separate youth justice system, overseen by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, that works in a slightly different way to the adult justice system:
- A child or young person, aged 10 or over, who admits to the police that they are guilty of a first offence (unless it is particularly serious) will be given a Reprimand.
- If they commit another offence (unless it is particularly serious), they will be given a Final Warning.
- If a young person continues to commit offences, or commits a more serious offence, they will be dealt with by the Youth Court who can pass a community sentence or, in the most serious cases, a custodial sentence.
- If the offence is very serious, or if a child is accused of commiting an offence with an adult, the Youth Court will pass the case to the Crown Court.
There are a range of voluntary and statutory services that can help if a child or young person is or is at risk of becoming involved in offending or anti-social behaviour, such as Youth Inclusion and Support Panels, Mentoring, Parenting support, and Youth Inclusion Projects.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
