Turning 18 can have a significant impact for any child involved in a criminal case.
Which court?
A child who turns 18 during a criminal case can continue to have their case heard in a youth court.
If a child turns 18 before their case gets to court, their case must be dealt with by the adult courts.
Sentencing
If a child turns 18 after they plead guilty or are convicted, but before they are sentenced, they are entitled to receive youth sentences and a court must impose a Referral Order if the compulsory conditions are met.3
If a child turns 18 before they plead guilty or are convicted, they cannot receive youth sentences but the child’s age at the time of the offence must be taken into consideration.
It can therefore be very important to avoid delay if a child is approaching their 18th birthday in a criminal case.