Youth Justice Going to Court & the Outcomes
The Department of Human Services is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system. The department's Youth Justice service provides programs and resources to assist these young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage their lives effectively without further offending. Through supervision, offending related programs and linkages to appropriate support services, Youth Justice promotes opportunities for rehabilitation and contributes to the reduction of crime in the community.
Objectives
The Youth Justice service objectives are to:
- where appropriate support diversion of young people charged with an offence from the criminal justice system
- minimise the likelihood of reoffending and further progression into the criminal justice system through supervision that challenges offending behaviours and related attitudes and promotes pro-social behaviours
- work with other services to strengthen community-based options for young people enabling an integrated approach to the provision of support that extends beyond the court order
- engender public support and confidence in the Youth Justice service.
Resource Documents
- Youth Justice in Victoria fact sheet
The Department of Human Services is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system. The department’s Youth Justice service provides programs and resources to assist these young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage their lives effectively without further offending.
- Central After Hours Assessment and Bail Service Factsheet (PDF 38.9 KB)
The Central After Hours and Bail Placement Service (CAHABPS) is a state wide after hours service available to young people who commit an offence when aged from 10 and up to 18 years. The service may be utilised voluntarily by any young person being considered for remand by police or where bail accommodation may be required.
- Bail - information for young people (PDF 636.4 KB)
A brochure answering frequently asked questions about Bail for young people.
- Parole - information for young people (PDF 639.5 KB)
Parole allows you to serve part of a custodial sentence given by a magistrate or a judge back in the community under the supervision of a parole worker.
- Probation - information for young people (PDF 634.2 KB)
Probation is a sentence given by a magistrate in the Children's Court. In most cases the length of time you will spend on probation will be 12 months or less. In some cases it may be 18 months.
- Remand - information for young people (PDF 639.6 KB)
Remand means being held in custody while you are waiting for your court case after you have been charged with an offence(s).
- Youth Attendance Order - information for young people (PDF 638.1 KB)
A youth attendance order (YAO) is a sentence given by the Children's Court. A YAO is a direct alternative to being locked up, so it is a very serious order.
- Youth Residential Centre Order - information for young people (PDF 640.4 KB)
A youth residential order (YRO) sentences you to a period of time in custody at the youth residential centre. It cannot be longer than two years.
- Youth Supervision Order - information for young people (PDF 636.5 KB)
A youth supervision order (YSO) is a sentence given by the Children's Court. In most cases the length of time you will spend on a YSO will be 12 months or less. In some cases it might be up to 18 months.
- Youth Justice Centre Order - information for young people (PDF 639.6 KB)
A youth justice centre (YJC) order sentences you to a period oftime in custody at a juvenile justice centre. It cannot be longer than three years.
- Koori Youth Justice Factsheet (PDF 43.4 KB)
An overview of Koori Youth Justice programs.
- Youth Justice Parole Board Fact Sheet (PDF 31.9 KB)
The Youth Residential Board and Youth Parole Board are established by sections 431 and 442 respectively of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. The Boards exercise jurisdiction over all young people sentenced by a court to a period of detention in a youth justice custodial centre and over young people transferred by the Adult Parole Board from imprisonment in adult prison to serve their sentence in a youth justice centre.
