The Magistrates' Association

Youth Courts
Courts are not always absolutely the same but usually the layout of the court is something like this. Youth courts are similar to adult courts but everyone speaks in simpler language so that everyone can understand. There are other people in the youth court as you can see. Place your mouse over any part of the diagram for more information.

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Magistrates

There must be at least two (ideally one male and one female) but there are usually three.

Their duty is to make decisions in a fair way and to speak to people in the court using simple and clear language.

Only the chairman will normally speak but all three magistrates have equal rights in decision-making.

Only magistrates who have been specially trained can sit in a youth court.

Legal Advisor

- Legally qualified.

- Assists defendants who do not have legal advisers by explaining what happens step by step.

- Puts the charges to the defendant.

- Advises the magistrates on the law and procedure when necessary.

- Keeps a record of the proceedings.

Prosecution

The prosecution represents different organisation that have to give the facts to the magistrate to prove that the person broke the law. Most cases are handled by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The CPS presents the prosecution case and makes requests for costs and compensation.

Defence

Someone who has qualifications in law and represents the child in the case, not the parent.

Youth Offender Team (YOT)

A team of professionals who deal with young people and who organise programmes that try to change their offending behaviour.

This will include talking to, and sometimes meeting with, victims as well as the families of offenders.

Parent/responsible adult

Until a child is 18 years old, a parent or guardian is responsible for all aspects of a child's needs and is held responsible for all their actions.

The Court Usher:

- often wears a black coat so that people can find them easily

- checks the arrival of people at court

- shows people in and out of the court

- gives people information about which court they should be in

- calls the witnesses

- generally keeps things running smoothly

A good usher checks a witness' name and religion so that they can swear an oath on their Holy Book.

They also help a court run very efficiently and calm people down who are angry, worried or impatient, or often all three!


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The Youth Court