Young adults at court

The Transition to Adulthood Alliance and the Centre for Justice Innovation has published a report entitled ‘A fairer way: procedural fairness for young adults at court’ which sets out a blueprint for a new approach to 18-25 year olds in court, developed over the last two years by criminal justice practitioners in five areas of England and Wales as well as young adults themselves.

The adapted court model draws upon scientific international research that has shown young adults’ brain development and maturity makes them a group distinct from both children and from fully mature adults.

The proposed changes are based on ‘procedural fairness’ evidence  that suggests a more understandable and fairer court process is likely to increase young adults’ compliance with court orders and reduce young adults’ likelihood of committing further offences.

Read the report here