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
    • Terms and Conditions
  • 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 Justice Services
      • Training for other Youth Justice Professionals
  • Membership
    • For law firms and chambers
    • For Youth Justice Services
    • For individuals
    • Member directory
  • Member events
  • About us
  • Advice line
  • Resources
  • Training and events
  • Membership

Turning 15

Legal terms A-Z

Turning 15 can mean a court can impose a higher sentence on a child because children aged 12 – 14 years old cannot be given a Detention and Training Order unless they are a persistent offender.

If a child turns 15 after they plead guilty (or are convicted), but before they are sentenced, the court can only sentence them as if they were a 14 year-old.1 They cannot receive a Detention and Training Order (DTO) unless they are a persistent offender.2

If a child turns 15 before they plead guilty or are convicted, the court could sentence them to a Detention and Training Order but the child’s age at the time of the offence must be taken into consideration.3 Courts must follow any sentencing guideline unless it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.4

It can therefore be very important to avoid delay if a child is approaching their 15th birthday in a criminal case.

Subscribe to Turning 15
  • 1. R v Danga (Harbeer Singh) [1992] QB 1996, R v Dennis Obasi [2014] EWCA Crim 581
  • 2. Section 100(2)(a) Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.
  • 3. Paragraph 5, Overarching Principles: Sentencing Youths, Sentencing Guidelines Council, November 2009, R v Ghafoor [2002] EWCA Crim 1857.
  • 4. Section 125(1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
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
    • Terms and Conditions
  • 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
  • Membership
    • For law firms and chambers
    • For Youth Justice Services
    • For individuals
    • Member directory
  • Member events
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site By Effusion
  • © Youth Justice Legal Centre 2021
  • Just for Kids law
  • CRAE
  • School Exclusions Hub