Skip to main navigation Skip to main content
Home
Just For Kids Law
Donate
  • About us
    • Our people
    • Our history
    • Introducing YJLC
    • Contact us
  • Advice line
    • Advice for children, young people, and their families
    • Advice for lawyers and other professionals
    • Recently asked questions
  • Resources
    • Legal guides
    • Legal updates
    • Explainer videos for young people
    • A-Z legal terms for young people
  • Training and events
    • Past events' replay videos
    • Forthcoming events
      • Past Events
    • Youth Justice Summit
    • Youth Justice Training
      • Training for Barristers
      • Training for Solicitors
      • Training for Youth Offender Teams
      • Training for other Youth Justice Professionals
  • About us
  • Advice line
  • Resources
  • Training and events

Secure Docks

Legal terms A-Z

A secure dock is an enclosed place, usually with glass walls around it, where if a person is accused of a crime they stand or sit in a court.

Often a child is allowed to sit outside the dock next to their parent. A young person will be produced in the secure dock only if:

  1. They have attained the age of 15; and
  2. They are produced to the court from custody; and
  3. He or she is charged with an offence of:
    • A violent nature (other than common assault but including witness interference and offences specified in Schedule 15 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003); or
    • A sexual nature; or
    • Possession of a real or imitation firearm or other weapon.

A young person will also be produced in the secure dock where the court so orders it of its own volition or upon representations. A secure dock should be used for youths only in appropriate circumstances, and its use should not become the rule, even for those produced in custody.

Only those charged with the most serious offences, or whose behaviour has given rise to serious concern, should be required to appear in the secure dock. The court’s expectation with regards to use of the secure dock should be communicated to those bringing the young person into court from custody, where relevant.

Subscribe to Secure Docks
Back to top
Home
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • About us
    • Our people
    • Our history
    • Introducing YJLC
    • Contact us
  • Advice line
    • Advice for children, young people, and their families
    • Advice for lawyers and other professionals
    • Recently asked questions
  • Resources
    • Legal guides
    • Legal updates
    • Explainer videos for young people
    • A-Z legal terms for young people
  • Training and events
    • Past events' replay videos
    • Forthcoming events
    • Youth Justice Summit
    • Youth Justice Training
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site By Effusion
  • © Youth Justice Legal Centre 2021
  • Just for Kids law
  • CRAE
  • School Exclusions Hub