Juveniles at Crown Court

[bookend]

A neighbour's son along with an accomplice were recently charged with an offence and attended the local magistrates court today for the second time. The boy has pleaded guilty to the charge whilst the girl accomplice has pleaded not guilty.

The magistrates decided to send the case to Crown court due to the severity of the offences and the case is dueto be heard next month.

Both the boy and his girl are under eighteen - he will not be eighteen until September this year.

I realise that there are reporting restrictions in a magistrates court, but I'm not clear what happens in juvenile cases in a Crown Court. Could the case be reported in a local newspaper and the names of the offenders printed? Given their ages, will this be a case of trial by jury or is the case held in camera? If no jury is involved, can I assume that the judge/recorder alone makes a decision regarding their guilt?

Thanks.

[paraffin]

Hi bookend:

Had this case been head at Juvenile Court there would have been reporting restrictions but, although it is possible that they could be imposed, there is no guarantee that this will be the case at Crown Court.

It would of course be at the Judge's discretion but it would be unusual indeed should s/he allow details of Juveniles on trial to be published. That would also include photographs of them.
In exceptional circumstances it has been known for Juvenile defendants to give evidence by live video link. But this is rare.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the Court could require a Juvenile of under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

I would strongly recommend the parents/guardians to contact whoever is legally representing both Juveniles for further advice.

Hope this is of help.

[New Judge]

Young people under 18 years are termed �youths� in the court service. Juveniles are those under 14.

Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 provides for courts to order the prevention of publication of details of people under 18 involved in court proceedings (defendants and witnesses). The law applies equally in the Youth Court (Magistrates� Court) and the Crown Court.

Generally judges or magistrates must have good reason for not making a Section 39 order.

Verdicts in Youth trials in the Crown Court are usually determined by jury. The right of access by the public and press is restricted in such trials in the same way as in the Youth Court (Magistrates� Court).