AYJ Comment: AYJ backs call from MPs ‘Youth Courts and Sentencing’ proposals on turning 18 ahead of prosecution
On Tuesday 23rd February, Rob Butler MP introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill to the House of Commons, titled ‘Youth Courts and Sentencing’.
The Bill would amend legislation so that someone who turns 18 between allegedly committing an offence and appearing in court, would have their hearing and sentencing within the youth justice system, rather than being treated as an adult and facing adult criminal justice responses - as is currently the case.
The Bill has strong backing across parliament, the youth justice sector, and by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. AYJ wholeheartedly supports the proposal. We urge the Ministry of Justice to hear this loud and clear call and change the law to end this injustice for children and young people.
The youth justice system rightly aims to recognise the maturity and needs of children who are accused of committing crimes and respond appropriately. Young people who commit offences as children but turn 18 while waiting for their hearings don’t receive any of the protections and support they should be entitled to. They face harsher sentences with lifelong impacts, and this is only going to affect more young people as years of court closures and now COVID-19 mean children may wait years to face justice, through no fault of their own.
This Bill would right a wrong that is undermining the fairness of the justice system, and alleviate the anxiety many children are experiencing while they watch their 18th birthday creep closer, knowing delays to their case could have a drastic impact on the rest of their lives.
Commenting on the proposals, Pippa Goodfellow, Director of the Alliance for Youth Justice, said:
“Children who turn 18 while waiting for their day in court face harsher sentences, lost protections and unjust impacts for the rest of their lives. Delays in the system, exacerbated by COVID-19, mean that many children may wait years for their trial, through no fault of their own. The measures proposed in this Bill would allow for fairer, more equitable and age-appropriate justice and have the full support of the Alliance for Youth Justice.”