- Teens to face court of peers under youth justice scheme
- By Peter Gregory
- The Age
- 14/10/2008 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 264 articles in 2008 )
Victorian teenagers who commit minor offences could be questioned and punished by their peers under State Government plans announced today.
The "teen court'' scheme, pioneered in the United States, lets young panel members interview offenders aged 10 to 15, and ask them to face sanctions such as community service.
Based on American and British models, the panels could deal with offences like graffiti writing and shoplifting under the guidance of volunteer lawyers.
The proposal was among 35 projects contained in the Government's second justice statement, presented at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre at Collingwood.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the statement promoted mediation rather than court fights, envisaged electronic document filing and a single piece of legislation regulating the Supreme, County and Magistrates courts.
He said a special court list emphasising case management of mentally ill offenders could also be developed.
The "teen court'' scheme, pioneered in the United States, lets young panel members interview offenders aged 10 to 15, and ask them to face sanctions such as community service.
Based on American and British models, the panels could deal with offences like graffiti writing and shoplifting under the guidance of volunteer lawyers.
The proposal was among 35 projects contained in the Government's second justice statement, presented at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre at Collingwood.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the statement promoted mediation rather than court fights, envisaged electronic document filing and a single piece of legislation regulating the Supreme, County and Magistrates courts.
He said a special court list emphasising case management of mentally ill offenders could also be developed.
Source: https://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-to-face-court-of-peers-under-youth-justice-scheme-20081014-50hs.html
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