Youth Court Guide

The Youth Court Guide is the definitive legal handbook for practitioners involved in the youth court. It provides an in-depth knowledge of the youth court system, as well as the fundamental principles and day-to-day practice that pertain to it, with direction on every stage of youth justice.

This new edition brings the work fully up to date ensuring it remains a first port of call text providing guidance on practice and procedure with ease and clarity.

It takes account of developments that have impacted on practice and procedure since the fifth edition and revisions include updates to sections covering:

Cautions, restorative justice;
Separation from adult courts;
Youth gang injunctions;
Youth behaviour order changes;
DVPOs (domestic violence protection notices);
Criminal procedure rule changes and development of case management practice - new form, disclosure review, special measures, ground rules;
Remands;
Sentencing council allocation guidelines where youth charged with adult;
Breach of YROs (youth rehabilitation orders);
Fines, victim surcharge criminal courts charge;
Committal for sentence;
Referral orders;
More in depth guidance on sex notification requirements (sex assault on other youth);
Re organisation of youth offending services also mental health services;
Case update including sentencing cases.

Chapters follow the sequence of criminal proceedings from the use of diversions, cautions and arrests through to trial, sentences and appeals. Personal insight is provided through explanations from the 'hands on' experience of both authors.

The work contains central sections on venue, remand and sentencing for daily reference and focuses on practical solutions rather than academic debate. It also includes a separate chapter looking at difficult areas and legal issues and contains simple flow diagrams to help understand and follow remand powers and venue provisions. A quick guide to sentencing orders is also included.