Youth Court By: Andrea Johnson, Kayla Lubin, Ann Isabelle, Ashley Easley, Cedric Pierre-Louis

Facts & Statistics o 53% of youth court programs require respondents to participate in jury duty, at least once as part of their sentence. o The average amount of training that most youth court volunteers receive is 10 hours. o 55% of youth courts close their hearing to the general public. o 30% of youth courts hold hearings at least once a month. o 70 % of youth courts hold hearings all year long vs. 28% of programs that operate during the school year only. o The average reported annual budget for a youth court program is approximately $32,767.

Extended Information o Youth courts are less formal than adult courts o members of the public are not allowed in to the court (unless they get permission) o you are called by your first name Types of cases a youth court deals with o A youth court deals with cases like: o theft and burglary o anti-social behavior o drugs offences o For serious crimes, like murder or rape, the case starts in the youth court but will be passed to a Crown Court.

Youth Court Case A Debenhams town store was looted by a gang in August The gang consisted of about 20 to 30 youths who robbed and trashed the store. The damage was worth about £6,500. A young 11 year old boy from that group appeared at the Highbury Corner Youth Court. He was the youngest one of them and was charged for burglary and violent acts.

Right to Bail A juvenile has a general right to bail. o As for adults, the main reasons for refusing bail are that the defendant is accused of an imprison able offence and there are substantial grounds for believing that the defendant: o will abscond; o will commit further offences whilst on bail; or will interfere with witnesses. [ o The court may also refuse bail for the juvenile's own protection or welfare or for a limited number of other reasons. o A juvenile's parent may be asked to act as a surety for up to £50 for the juvenile's attendance at court.

Sentences Detention/ Training Order o Given only to 12 to 17 year olds o Lasts from 4 months to 2 years o Defendant spends first part of sentence in custody and second part in community service o Failure to follow any issued orders may result in imprisonment or eternal supervision. Types of Offenses Violent /Sexual Crime o extended sentence o Long time in custody followed by long time under supervision Murder o Minimum time in custody followed by lifetime supervision o Defendant is not allowed to apply for parole Armed Robbery/ Rape o Life imprisonment