What happens at the Youth Court?
Every case is different so it’s impossible to say exactly. But some things are the same in most cases. Young people should talk to their youth advocate before they appear in court about what might happen. If the young person says they didn’t do what the police say they did, there’ll be a defended hearing. At the defended hearing, the police will call witnesses and so will the young person, if they want to. Then the judge will decide whether the police have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the young person did what the police say they did. There are lots of rules for defended hearings. The young person’s lawyer/youth advocate will explain them. If the judge decides the young person did what the police say they did, the case will usually be put off for about two weeks so there can be a family group conference. See What is a family group conference? below If the young person agrees they did do what the police say they did, their lawyer or youth advocate will tell the judge. So, if th
