Juvenile justice is based on the presumption that young people should be treated differently to adults in the criminal justice system. This is due to their immaturity and lack of life experience. The police and the courts want to give young people the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and make a fresh start for a non-criminal future.

A juvenile is someone who was between the ages of 10 and 17 inclusive at the time of committing an offence. In Queensland a juvenile is between the ages of 10 and 16 inclusive.

All states and territories have specialised Children's Courts that deal specifically with offences committed by juveniles. Penalties issued by Children’s Courts range from conferencing schemes to detention in a Youth Training Centre for up to 2 years.

Young people who have committed crimes that are more serious may be tried in higher courts. Young people involved in such cases may be subject to higher penalties. There are also different police procedures for children who are suspected of having committed a criminal offence.

This Legal Guide on Juvenile Justice provides members of the public with information about juvenile justice procedures. Before making important decisions it is advisable to obtain legal advice specific to your situation. LegalEagle’s™ free directory profiles all lawyers in Australia. You can use it to Find a Lawyer near you.

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Warning: Information provided through LegalEagle™ is for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures referred to may change and differ between states, territories and nationally. There may also be important exceptions or qualifications. Only a lawyer providing formal legal advice can assess your particular circumstances to determine how the law will apply.