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After Arrest

 

This information is to help young people and their parents/carers understand what may happen to them after they have been arrested and questioned in the Police station.

 
 

Released without Charge

The Police may decide that you are not responsible for the offence or that they have insufficient evidence and may release you without any further action being taken.
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You may receive a Reprimand

If this is your first offence and:

  • You have admitted to it and:
  • It is considered to be a minor offence

Then the Police may issue you with a Police reprimand. You can only have one Reprimand.

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You may receive a Final Warning

  • If you have admitted to a more serious offence, or;
  • If you have already received a Reprimand

If you receive a Final Warning you will be required to meet with the Police Officer at the Youth Offending Team and undertake a programme of work. A parent or guardian must accompany you to these sessions. If you are charged with any further offences after receiving a Final Warning you will go straight to Court.

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Bailed to reappear at the Police Station

Where the Police need to make further enquiries before making a decision about what should happen to you, they will set a date for you to return to the Police station to continue the interview. If you do not attend on that date, the Police can issue a warrant for your arrest.
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Charged and Bailed to appear at Youth Court

If you are charged with an offence you will be bailed and given a date to appear at Youth Court. If you do not attend the Court on that day a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
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Charged and Detained to appear at the next available Youth Court

If you are charged with an offence and there is a risk that you will abscond or commit further offences, the Police may want to detain you to appear at Court the following day. If it is considered to be in your best interests, you could be placed in Local Authority accommodation or, if not, you could be held in the Police Station.
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Legal Representation - Getting a Solicitor

You should have a Solicitor to represent you at the Police Station whilst you are being interviewed. It is your legal right to have a Solicitor present. If you don't have your own Solicitor, the Police will contact a Duty Solicitor for you. This service is available free of charge.
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Youth Courts

The Youth Offending Team deal with young people from the age of 8 up to 18 years. Magistrates in Youth Courts are specifically trained to deal with young people.

The Youth Court is a closed court which means members of the public are not allowed to attend. The Law requires parents or adults with parental responsibility to attend the Youth Court with their son or daughter.
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The Youth Offending Team (YOT)

The Youth Court may sentence you to one of a variety of Orders. You will then be under the supervision of the Youth Offending Team. You will be required to:

  • Attend all appointments
  • Make positive changes to your lifestyle to help you stay out of trouble
  • Make amends for your offending.

If you do not keep your appointments, you will be in breach of your Order and will have to go back to Court.

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