Child-Friendly Practice & Procedure in the Youth Court

This event focuses on child-friendly practices and procedures within the Youth Court system, ensuring a safe environment for young individuals involved in legal proceedings. Topics covered include prosecution in cases involving young people, bail provisions, special measures for evidence, and addressing individual needs through various supportive measures.

• Child-friendly
• Youth Court
• Legal Procedures
• Prosecution
• Bail Provisions

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Uploaded on Apr 24, 2025 | 0 Views

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Presentation Transcript

1. Child Friendly Practice & Procedure in the Youth Court 18thSeptember 2024 Linda Chambers Public Prosecutor, Serious Crime Unit

2. Prosecution at Court Serious nature of offence Cases involving Cases involving Young People Young People can proceed to can proceed to court for a court for a number of number of reasons reasons Persistent Offender Exhausted range of diversionary disposals Previous failure to engage

3. PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE The Youth Court in Northern Ireland Special arrangements for children and young people Designated Youth Courts Composition Child friendly environment Measures Introduced Child friendly language

4. PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE Bail Provision for Young People in Northern Ireland the court considers that to protect the public it is necessary to remand him in custody; and Legislation Article 12 Criminal Justice (Children) (NI) Order 1998 Either (a)is a violent or sexual offence; or (b)is one where in the case of an adult similarly charged he would be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 14 years or more. Or (a)where the offence charged is an indictable offence; and (b)the child either (i)was on bail on any date on which he is alleged to have committed the offence; or (ii)has been found guilty of an indictable offence within the period of two years ending on the date on which he is charged with the offence mentioned.

5. PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE Bail Provision for Young People in Northern Ireland Stringent criteria Statutory presumption in favour of bail Bail Conditions

6. The Criminal Evidence (NI) Order 1999 Special Measures Aim to improve the quality of the evidence Terms of completeness, coherence and accuracy. Coherence is judged by the witnesses ability to give answers in context both individually and collectively.

7. Addressing individual need Various special measures available Article 11 -Screens Article 12 - Live Link Remote Evidence Article 14 - Removal of wig and gowns Article 15 - Video Recorded Evidence in Chief Article 17 - Registered Intermediary

8. Registered Intermediaries The Registered Intermediaries (RIs) Schemes assist vulnerable defendants and defence witnesses, as well as victims and prosecution witnesses, with significant communication difficulties. Assist to communicate their answers more effectively during police interview and when giving evidence at trial. The RI Schemes currently operate in respect of criminal cases being heard in all Crown, Magistrates and Youth courts. The vulnerable person s communication difficulties could arise due, for example, to a learning disability, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, mental health issue, neurological disorder or a physical disability, or by virtue of their young age.

9. PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE New Youth Justice Initiatives PPS is involved in a range of initiatives to improve children s experience of Youth Justice System, including: o Streamlining of the Youth Engagement Scheme. Not always possible to prevent children coming into the Youth Justice System for example, persistent offenders, serious nature of offending, exhausted diversionary options o Development of an informal Youth Court Pilot. o Development of a single Community Order. o Expansion of the Police Community Resolution Scheme. o Improvement of bail and custody provision for young people

10. Youth Court Sentencing PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE Absolute conditional discharge Absolute conditional discharge Youth Conference Order Youth Conference Order Restorative Justice Restorative Justice Youth Court Disposals Probation Order Probation Order Attendance Centre Order Attendance Centre Order Community Service Order Community Service Order Juvenile Justice Centre Order Juvenile Justice Centre Order

11. PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE Future of Youth Justice in Northern Ireland Efforts will continue to improve Youth Justice System - potential to develop additional services for children. We will continue to work towards the Department of Justice s vision for the Youth Justice System in Northern Ireland: A Progressive Youth Justice System Delivering Better Outcomes for Children and Communities.

12. Questions? Thank you for your time .

13. More information on our website www.ppsni.gov.uk or by contacting PPS, Policy and Information Unit Tel: 02890 897100 Email: info@ppsni.gov.uk