LOCAL INFORMATION
4.0.1.L1
Young people and the law
Extent: Jersey
October 1999
Updated 22 November 2018
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THE JERSEY YOUTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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ARREST |
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PARISH HALL |
>CAUTION |
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COURT APPEARANCE |
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SOCIAL |
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SENTENCE |
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ABSOLUTE DISCHARGE |
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Age of Criminal Responsibility
No person under the age of ten years can be presumed to be guilty of an offence. (Children (Jersey) Law 2002)
Under the Criminal Justice [Young Offenders] [Jersey] Law 1994 the Court may require parents to guarantee in cash, the good behaviour of their children.
Court appearance
Youth Court
Young people aged from 10 to 17 years may be required to attend the Youth Court.
The Youth Court sits at The Magistrate's Court, Union Street, St Helier on Tuesday at 10.00am.
Presided over by a Magistrate, and two of the lay panel
Legal Aid is available for young people where their parent(s) cannot afford to pay for the services of a lawyer.
Over eighteen years, young people charged with offences, attend the Magistrate's or Royal Court.For more information on the Youth Court procedures see www.gov.je/Government/NonexecLegal/JudicialGreffe/Sections/MCG/Pages/GuidanceInformation.aspx
Parish Hall Enquiry
Most young people under eighteen, accused of offences, attend a Parish Hall Enquiry to decide whether a court appearance will be necessary.
Detention
A person aged 15 to 20 years may be sentenced to Youth Detention at the Young Offenders Centre. A person under 17 may not be detained for a term exceeding 6 months. In practice, young people up to 18 are detained at Greenfields Centre, La Grande Route de St Martin, St Saviour. Telephone 872940, where they receive education and behavioural help.
