the OUT OF COURT TEAM
- Children (age 10 - 17) who commit less serious offences (crimes) and are at low risk of offending again can be offered alternatives to being charged with criminal offences.
- A child needs to admit committing a criminal offence, this is usually during the police interview.
- Out of court disposals are:
- Community resolution
- Youth caution
- Youth conditional caution
For more information see out of court disposals below
the out of court process
- In Ealing we have a team of experience staff who work directly with any child referred by the police (or very occasionally the youth court) to decide whether an Out of Court Disposal is the right decision.
- If you, or your child, are referred to the team we will arrange a meeting with you to talk about what happened and find out some more background information.
- After this meeting we will meet with the police to decide whether an Out of Court Disposal is the right decision. We will then contact you to let you know the decision that has been made.
- If the decision is an Out of Court Disposal then we will meet with you again to write up a plan to ensure you don't get into trouble again.
- Most children who receive an Out of Court Disposal in Ealing successfully complete the actions on their plan and don't commit any more offences.
- If you would like more information about Out of Court Disposals in Ealing please call the office number 0208 825 7524 and speak to one of the OOCD team or email martinm@ealing.gov.uk
- If you have received a letter asking you to come in for an OOCD assessment and you need more information, call the number on the letter.
OUT OF COURT DISPOSALS
Out of Court Disposals can be given to young people under the age of 18 who have admitted to committing a criminal offence during police interview.
Community Resolution
A Community Resolution is an alternative way of dealing with less serious crimes, allowing officers to use their professional judgement when dealing with offenders. It can be used for offences such as low level public order, criminal damage, theft, and minor assaults. Community Resolutions are not kept on record by the police but can show up on DBS checks if relevant to the post being applied for.
Community Resolution will enable victims to have quick resolutions and closure to their crime, offenders will receive speedy justice and there will be reduced bureaucracy for police officers.
Youth Caution
A Youth Caution is a formal warning that is kept on record by the police.
In addition, the Youth Offending Team may do some work with you to help you stay out of trouble. This work is voluntary, but if you decide not to do it, this may affect what happens to you if you get into trouble in the future
Youth Conditional Caution
A Youth Conditional Caution is a formal warning that is kept on record by the police.
If you receive a Youth Conditional Caution, it will include at least one condition which you must complete. This is not voluntary and you must attend the meetings with the Youth Offending Team and carry out any conditions set for you. If you do not complete the programme, you will have to go to Court.
- Anger management work
- Positive activities
- Drugs or alcohol work
- Doing some community work to make up for your offence
- Writing a letter of apology
- Victim awareness work
- Access to other services
Here are some examples of what can be part of Youth Conditional Caution:
- Anger management work
- Positive activities
- Drugs or alcohol work
- Doing some community work to make up for your offence
- Writing a letter of apology
- Victim awareness work
- Access to other services
More information about youth criminal records can be found here.