The youth justice system
The system for dealing with
offending by young people is different and largely separate from
that for adult offenders. There is more emphasis on preventing
offending and re-offending and a wider range of ways of dealing
with those who do offend.
The principal aims of the youth justice system in England and
Wales are to -
- prevent offending and re-offending by children and young people
aged 10 to 17
- deal appropriately with those who do offend, including
encouraging them to make amends for their crimes
- support victims of crime.
The system also aims to -
- administer justice swiftly
- confront young offenders with the consequences of their
offending
- impose punishment proportionate to the seriousness and
persistence of offending
- reinforce the responsibilities of parents.
The work of youth offending teams is at the heart of the youth
justice system. Other agencies have a vital role, for example the
police in detecting crime and issuing reprimands and final warnings
to young offenders and the courts in dealing with more serious
offences or persistent offenders.
The whole youth
justice system is overseen on behalf of the government by the
national Youth Justice Board. Visit the Youth Justice Board website for
more detailed information about what the youth justice system does
and how it works.