What happens when a child commits an Offence?

If a young person has committed offences before and/or the offence(s) is considered serious enough, the police and Youth Offending Service may decide that the young person should be charged with the offence to appear in court. The police will decide if the young person can go home until the court hearing.

Should children be held responsible?

Indeed, holding children responsible for their actions is one of the important ways we teach them to become responsible adults. In this sense, it is more important to hold children responsible than adults. We not only hold children responsible, they are generally responsible. Punishment is quite something else.

When to take a child to children court?

In the Children Court (if the judge is willing to hear the non-minor offence in the Children Court), or The child can ask a parent or guardian to help with this decision. When a child is charged with a minor offence, with one or more adults, the offence should be heard in the Children Court.

Can a child be tried in the Central Criminal Court?

Certain offences cannot be heard by the Children Court and must be heard in the Central Criminal Court. These offences include: Under the Irish Constitution a child has a right to be tried before a jury for non-minor offences. The judge asks the child if they want to have their case heard:

Can a child be tried before a jury in Ireland?

Under the Irish Constitution a child has a right to be tried before a jury for non-minor offences. The judge asks the child if they want to have their case heard: In the Children Court (if the judge is willing to hear the non-minor offence in the Children Court), or

What happens if you dont go to court with your child?

Magistrates believe it’s very important for a parent or guardian to attend court with their child. If you don’t attend your child’s court hearing, the court can adjourn to ensure you know about it. The court can order you to attend and fine you if you don’t.

What happens if I commit an offence before I turn 18?

If you commit an offence before you turn 18, but you aren’t sentenced in court until after you turn 18, you will still be sentenced as a child up until the age of 19. If you’ve been charged with an offence allegedly committed after you turned 18, see criminal court process. What happens if I am accused of breaking the law?

Can a child go to court for a low level offence?

In some instances a looked after child or young person (including those placed in foster homes and independent accommodation, as well as in care homes) may be before the court for a low level offence that the police would not have been involved in, if it had occurred in an ordinary family setting.

How does Crown Court work for young offenders?

Proceedings for young offenders aim to be less formal than adult courts with the offender called by his/ her first name; judges and counsel dealing with young offenders in Crown Court may take off their wigs and robes; and the public are not allowed to enter the court.

Why are criminal offences called either way offences?

Either-way offences are the mid-level criminal offences ranging from the not so serious to the very serious. They are called ‘either-way’ offences because they can be tried either in the Magistrates’ Court (before a District Judge or Magistrates) or in the Crown Court (before a judge and jury).