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Arrested
If you are arrested you will be taken to the police station where the police will want to interview you about the crime. If you are 10-16 years old, there must be an "appropriate adult" with you when you are interviewed. This might be a parent, a carer (aged 18 or more) or an appropriate adult volunteer. In Essex, appropriate adult volunteers are provided by the charity Catch 22. If you are 17 years or older you do not legally need an adult with you during a police interview. Once you have been interviewed one of a number of things may happen. You may be:
- bailed to allow the police to make further enquiries
- bailed to receive a reprimand or final warning (see below)
- bailed to attend court
- remanded (kept in custody at the police station) until a remand application is made at court (this will happen on the next available court date)
Free legal advice
You have a right to free legal advice. The police will phone a solicitor on your behalf who is completely independent of the police. Your discussions with the solicitor are confidential. You may also make a phone call to a relative or friend but this call is not confidential and the police may listen in.
Reprimand
If it is your first offence and you admit guilt and it is not of a serious matter the police will usually give you a reprimand (a formal caution). Once you have received a reprimand you can't get another one.
Final Warning
You may receive a final warning if you've already had a reprimand in the past and the offence is again of a less serious nature - and you have admitted guilt. If your crime is of a more serious nature you could be issued a final warning or it might be serious enough to go straight to court. A final warning is your last chance to stay out of trouble. Generally you will only get one final warning, but if you have already received one in the past, and have not been in trouble with the police for two years, the police may consider giving you a second final warning. Again, this will depend on the seriousness of the offence. The police will bail you to receive a final warning and refer you to your local Youth Offending Team (YOT). The YOT will be in touch to do a short assessment and to offer you a Final Warning Programme which is a voluntary programme designed to help you stop offending and to begin to put right the wrong and harm caused through some form of restorative justice.
Youth Offending Team (YOT)
The people at the Youth Offending Team (YOT) are there to help you understand what's going on and to support you in your efforts to stop offending. If you are arrested and have admitted to the offence, a number of different things can happen. The police may give you a reprimand or a final warning. However, if the crime you have committed is serious enough, the police may decide that you should be charged. This means that you will have to appear in court. When you are arrested, the police have to tell the YOT, so they will be aware of your case. If you have been given a Final Warning or Court sentence, you will be assessed by the YOT to find out what work needs doing to help you stay out of trouble in the future.
Prison! No Way!
Prison! No Way! provides young people the opportunity to see how the other side of the law operates, exploring the impact and consequences of criminal activity. The programme includes visits to courts, prison and police stations. Further details can be obtained by calling 01268 632252.
Help Lines
Council areas for YOT:
- Colchester/Tendring – 01206 573188
- Braintree/Chelmsford/Maldon – 01245 358092
- Epping Forest/Harlow/Uttlesford – 01279 42749
- Basildon/Brentwood/Rochford/Castle Point 01268 520612
2 Smart
This website deals with the issues you face today covering issues like drugs, alcohol, knives and bullying
2 Smart Senior (PEPYS)
An interactive website from the Proactive Essex Police Youth Strategy providing interactive scenarios and games. Provides in depth information about being: on the street, at school, the charge room and court.
Catch 22
Is a voluntary organisation that provides a range of services to under supported young people.
Youth Justice Board (YJB)
The YJB work to prevent offending and re-offending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.
Nacro
Crime reduction charity providing ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities the help they need to build a better future.
Prison Me No-Way!
This site raises awareness about the causes, consequences and penalties of crime and the effects of anti-social behaviour.
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Posted - 12:13, 02 Nov 2009
hello