Youth Courts

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland young people aged between 10 and 17 are dealt with in the Youth Court — a special form of Magistrates' Court. Members of the public are not normally allowed in, and the names and other details that could identify the young defendant cannot be reported in the press.

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The age of criminal responsibility is 10 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 12 in Scotland. The Youth Court can impose a range of sentences including referral orders, fines, supervision orders and detention in a Young Offender Institution. Most very serious cases are sent to the Crown Court.

You may be asked what age someone can be charged with a criminal offence in England (10), or what is special about Youth Court reporting (the young person cannot be named).

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally heard in a ______ in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge
2. In what year was there a revolution in France which led to a war with Britain?
3. Where are the youth cases heard in Scotland?
4. What age group does the National Citizen Service programme cover?
5. The name or photograph of cases heard in the Youth Court can be published in the newspapers once the young person has been found guilty
6. In Youth Courts, the name or photographs of the accused young person can be published in newspapers or used by the media

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