How does the youth justice system work?
I can explain how the youth justice system works in the UK.
How does the youth justice system work?
I can explain how the youth justice system works in the UK.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Youth courts handle 10-17-year-olds and have different processes to adult court. Some cases are sent to the crown court.
- Youth courts balance punishment with safeguarding the welfare of the child and preventing re-offending.
- Differences include: courtroom layout, less formal proceedings, reporting restrictons and additonal checks.
- Due to devolution, England and Wales have a separate criminal justice system, including youth justice, from Scotland.
Keywords
Court - a formal legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved, and where justice is administered according to the law
Magistrate - a judicial officer who hears cases in a lower court, typically dealing with more minor offences
Offender - a person who has violated a law, regulation, or rule and is subject to legal or disciplinary punishment
Sentence - to impose a punishment for an offender
Common misconception
Young people are tried in the same courts as adults.
Young people are tried in a youth court, except for offences that are considered to be too serious.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: How does the youth justice system work?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: How does the youth justice system work?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups
law that deals with individuals who break the law and seeks to punish
an act or behaviour that violates a law and is punishable by the law
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a formal legal institution where disputes are heard and resolved
to impose a punishment for an offender
a person who has violated a law, regulation, or rule