§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many youth courts there are in England and Wales; and what jurisdictions they cover. [86179]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 9 December 2002]In England and Wales, there are about 220 youth courts spread across all 42 criminal justice areas.
Youth courts have jurisdiction to deal with summary only, triable either way and indictable only offences. Nearly all criminal proceedings brought against a child or young person are dealt with in a youth court. The main exceptions are:
- (a) homicide;
- (b) the juvenile is charged jointly with an adult and it is in the interests of justice that they he tried together;
- (c) the juvenile is charged with a grave crime and the youth court considers that the greater sentencing powers of the Crown Court ought to be available.