The Scottish Government

2004

CONTENTS

Executive Summary
SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Introduction
The Hamilton Sheriff Youth Court
Objectives of the Youth Court
Evaluation
Organisation of the Report
SECTION TWO: METHODS
Introduction
Interviews with sheriffs and other professionals associated with the Youth Court
Analysis of monitoring data
Observation of the Youth Court in action
Analysis of Implementation Group Minutes
SECTION THREE: REFERRAL TO THE YOUTH COURT
Introduction
Responses to youth crime prior to the introduction of the Youth Court
Objectives of the Youth Court
Identification of cases by the police
Perspectives on the Youth Court criteria
15 year olds and the Youth Court
Youth prosecution cases referred by the police
Referrals to the Youth Court in the first six months
Summary
SECTION FOUR: SENTENCING IN THE YOUTH COURT
Introduction
Legal advice to young people in the Youth Court
Electronic monitoring on bail
Reports to the Youth Court
Sentencing
Disposal of cases in the Youth Court
Fast-tracking of cases
Rolling up cases
Review Hearings
Enforcement
Observation of the Youth Court in action
Summary
SECTION FIVE: SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE YOUTH COURT
Introduction
Existing and planned services: North Lanarkshire
Existing and planned services: South Lanarkshire
Perspectives on social work and other resources available to the Youth Court
Summary
SECTION SIX: THE MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH
Introduction
The Youth Court Implementation Group
Perspectives on multi-professional working
Programming court business
Summary
SECTION SEVEN: EARLY PERSPECTIVES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE YOUTH COURT
Introduction
Need for improvement
Effective elements of the Youth Court
Conclusion
REFERENCES