Youth courts

Question 1

What sentences are available for young offenders?

Answer 1

detention and training orders 
fines (max of 1k (14-17) (max of £250 for 10-13)
youth rehabilitation orders 
referral orders and reparation orders 
absolute and conditional discharges
binding parent order or parenting order

Question 2

Can the youth court make ancillary orders i.e. compensation orders?

Answer 2

Yes it can- for someone under 18 it is £5k.
When convicted of more than 1 offence= no restriction on the aggregate sum of compensation (may be ordered to pay up to £5k for each offence)
Where young offender asks for offences to be taken into consideration, compensation may be ordered in respect of those offences BUT total amount must not exceed the max which could be ordered for the offence which he has actually been convicted

Question 3

How old can you be to receive a detention and training order?

Answer 3

Available to 12 to 17 year olds

Question 4

Can a DTO be imposed on a 12-14 year old?

Answer 4

it can only be imposed IF:
He is a persistent offender (3 findings of guilt or more in past 12 m) for imprisonable offences of a comparable nature OR
Being sentenced on a single appearance for a series of separate, comparable offences committed over a short space of time

Question 5

Can a DTO be imposed on a offender aged 10 or 11 at date of conviction?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

How long can a DTO be?

Answer 6

Minimum= 4 months 
Maximum= 2 years (24 months)

Question 7

Can a DTO be consecutive?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

How long can a youth rehabilitation order be?

Answer 8

3 years

Question 9

Which courts can make a referral order?

Answer 9

The youth court & MC

Question 10

When is a referral order mandatory?

Answer 10

The offence is an imprisonable one
The offender has pleaded G to the offence and to any connected offence AND
Has never been convicted previously

Question 11

When is a referral order discretionary?

Answer 11

If the mandatory conditions are not met because either the youth has previously been convicted OR he has not pleaded G to all offences

Question 12

How long can a referral order be?

Answer 12

Not less than 3 m

Not more than 12 m

Question 13

Can a referral order be reduced to reflect a guilty plea?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What must the court do when making a referral order?

Answer 14

The court must explain:

The effect of the order and the consequences which may follow

Question 15

What the requirements of a referral order concerning parents attending the meetings?

Answer 15

If under the age of 16- court MUST make order requiring the parent/guardian to attend relevant meetings

Question 16

What types of sentences are available at the MC for a youth?

Answer 16

Absolute discharge 
Conditional discharge 
A fine (up to £1k= 14 years old/ £250= 10-13)
Parents enter into a recognizance exercise proper control over offender
Referral order