What happens after you get into trouble

Getting into trouble with the police can feel worrying or confusing. The Youth Justice Service works with children and young people aged 10 to 17 to help them understand what has happened, repair any harm caused and move forward positively.

Stop and search: Know your rights

If you are arrested

If the police think you may have broken the law, they can arrest you. Being arrested does not mean you have been found guilty. You may be taken to a police station, where the police will explain why you have been arrested and ask questions about what happened.

If you are under 18, you have the right to support from an appropriate adult. This is usually a parent or carer, although another suitable adult may be provided if needed. You also have the right to free legal advice from a solicitor.

Once the police have gathered the information they need, they will decide what happens next. They may:

  • take no further action
  • deal with the matter through a community resolution
  • refer you to the Youth Justice Service for an out of court decision
  • charge you and send your case to court

You have the right to be treated fairly, listened to and supported throughout the process.

Out of court resolution

Sometimes a young person can be dealt with without going to court. This is known as an out of court resolution.

If this happens, the Youth Justice Service may meet with you and your parent or carer to understand what happened and identify any support you might need. An assessment will be completed and recommendations considered before a decision is made.

You may be asked to:

  • talk about the offence
  • understand how your actions affected other people
  • repair any harm caused, where appropriate
  • attend support sessions
  • get help with education, family life, emotional wellbeing or other challenges

The aim is to help you move forward and reduce the likelihood of further offending.

Out of court resolution options

Several types of out of court resolutions are available. The option used will depend on the circumstances of the offence, the views of those affected and the support needs of the young person.

Community resolution - A way of dealing with lower-level offences without going to court.

Deferred caution - A caution that is delayed to give you the opportunity to complete agreed activities and support. The outcome depends on your engagement and progress during the agreed period.

Youth caution - A formal warning given when a young person admits an offence. It does not involve going to court, but it is recorded and may include support from the Youth Justice Service.

Youth conditional caution - A formal warning with conditions attached, such as attending support sessions, completing activities or repairing harm caused.

Deferred prosecution - An opportunity to demonstrate positive change before a final decision is made. If agreed activities are completed successfully, the case may not proceed any further.

If your case goes to court

If the police decide your case should go to court, it will usually be heard in the Youth Court. The Youth Court is designed specifically for children and young people aged 10 to 17.

You can normally attend with a parent, carer or another supportive adult. A Youth Justice Service worker may also be available to provide support throughout the process.

The magistrates or judge will listen to the evidence before making a decision.

Depending on the circumstances, the court may:

  • find you not guilty
  • issue a fine
  • make a referral order
  • make a youth rehabilitation order
  • impose a custodial sentence in the most serious cases

The court will explain its decision and what you need to do next.

Youth court orders

If a court finds a young person guilty of an offence, it can choose from a range of sentences. The type of order used will depend on the circumstances of the offence and the needs of the young person.

Referral order - A referral order is often used when a young person appears in court for the first time and admits an offence. You will work with a panel of community volunteers and the Youth Justice Service to agree a plan that helps you make positive changes and repair any harm caused.

Youth rehabilitation order - A youth rehabilitation order is a community sentence that combines support and supervision. It can include activities designed to help you stay out of trouble, make positive choices and address the issues that may have contributed to the offence.

Find more information about community sentences on GOV.UK

Detention and training order - A detention and training order is used for more serious offences. Part of the sentence is spent in custody and part in the community. Support is provided throughout the sentence to help reduce the risk of further offending and support positive change.

Find more information about young people in custody on GOV.UK

Support from the Youth Justice Service

If you receive support from the Youth Justice Service, you will work with a Youth Justice Worker who will get to know you, understand your circumstances and help you make positive changes.

They can help you:

  • understand what happened and the impact of your actions
  • identify your strengths and personal goals
  • access education, training or employment
  • improve your health and wellbeing
  • stay safe
  • build confidence and resilience
  • plan for a positive future

Your support plan will be tailored to your individual needs.

Moving forward

Getting into trouble does not define who you are. Everyone can learn from mistakes, make positive changes and move forward. The Youth Justice Service is here to help you do that.