Skip to Content

Children and the law | Committing a crime

Children under 10.

A child under 10 will not be charged with a criminal offence but they can face consequences for their actions.

The Law view children under 10 in a different way to youths, anyone under 18 and adults.

Possible outcomes for children that offend.

Curfew - A child can be banned by the police from being in a public place between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00 unless accompanied by and adult.
The curfew will normally last 90 days but can be shorter, if the child subsequently breaks the Curfew they may be given a safety order.

Safety Order - If a child has committed an offence or broken Curfew it is possible they will be placed under the supervision of a youth offending team, the youth offending teams objective is to educate and prevent the child from re-offending and are part of your local council.

They can also help families and children if they have to attend a police station, to find your local youth offending team visit-https://www.gov.uk/youth-offending-team

The Safety order can last as long as 12 months.

If a child still has a problem with the Law they can be taken into care.

Children over 10

If a child between 10 and 17 has committed a crime they will be treated separately to adult offenders.

If they are charged with an offence they will attend a youth court, which administers different sentencing to an adult court, if the offender is given a custodial sentence they will be sent to a secure centre.

If the offender is 18 and above they will be treated as an adult, except they will be sent to a prison for 18-25 year olds, if given a custodial sentence.

Children over 10
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Speeding motoring offences

Speeding motoring offences
Over 100,000 motorists are caught speeding each year, many have attended speed awareness courses, many were fined and received point..

Children and the Law Leaving a child at home.

There is no age laid down by the law stating when your child is old enough to be left home alone; however, it is against the law to leave a child home alone if..

Plea services launched online.

Plea services launched on-line for motoring offences -
The Government has launched a new service that allows motorists charged with summary offences to enter a..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' laws to defeat knife crime...

Cautions, warnings and penalty notices.

Police cautions and warnings are the same and can be issued to anyone over the age of ten for minor offences, whilst this does not count as a conviction it can..

Handling Stolen Goods

What is meant by 'handling stolen goods'...

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Totting up points on your driving Licence

Totting up points on your driving Licence.
When a driver accumulates twelve points or more in a three-year period on their driving license they are normally s..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year, what are they and do they work?..

Stalking and Harassment.

Recent report uncovers failings by the police and prosecution service...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top