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Youth Advocates
If you are appearing in the Youth Court on a criminal charge, a lawyer called a 'Youth Advocate' will be appointed to represent you. [1] Youth Advocates are appointed by the Court and are paid by the government - you will not have to pay them to help you. [2] If you particularly want a male or female Youth Advocate you should say so.
You do not have to use the Youth Advocate, and can choose to speak for yourself in Court. However, even in the Youth Court, the procedures can be complicated and confusing, and you are likely to be better off with a Youth Advocate who knows the way the Youth Court works. If you prefer to have a male or female Youth Advocate, you should say so on your first appearance.
Your Youth Advocate will tell you what you are being charged with (what the Police say you did). They will ask you what happened and will advise you if you have a defence.
Even if you think you are guilty, you might have a legal defence; therefore, it is important to explain your side of the story to the Youth Advocate as clearly as you can. The Youth Advocate will also explain to you what is likely to happen to you if you admit the charge, or deny the charge and have it proven against you.
When you are in court, the Youth Advocate will speak to the Judge for you. Sometimes the Judge will ask you a question directly - you should answer politely.
The Judge may say that you have to attend a 'Family Group Conference' and if that happens your Youth Advocate might go with you.
Your Youth Advocate is there to represent you and help you. Make sure they understand what you are saying about what happened. If you have any questions about your court case, make sure that you ask your Youth Advocate.
[1] s323 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
[2] s325 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
You do not have to use the Youth Advocate, and can choose to speak for yourself in Court. However, even in the Youth Court, the procedures can be complicated and confusing, and you are likely to be better off with a Youth Advocate who knows the way the Youth Court works. If you prefer to have a male or female Youth Advocate, you should say so on your first appearance.
Your Youth Advocate will tell you what you are being charged with (what the Police say you did). They will ask you what happened and will advise you if you have a defence.
Even if you think you are guilty, you might have a legal defence; therefore, it is important to explain your side of the story to the Youth Advocate as clearly as you can. The Youth Advocate will also explain to you what is likely to happen to you if you admit the charge, or deny the charge and have it proven against you.
When you are in court, the Youth Advocate will speak to the Judge for you. Sometimes the Judge will ask you a question directly - you should answer politely.
The Judge may say that you have to attend a 'Family Group Conference' and if that happens your Youth Advocate might go with you.
Your Youth Advocate is there to represent you and help you. Make sure they understand what you are saying about what happened. If you have any questions about your court case, make sure that you ask your Youth Advocate.
[1] s323 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
[2] s325 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
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Latest page update: made by YouthLaw
, May 18 2010, 9:23 PM EDT
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| Kawatapuarangi | Much appreciated | 0 | Sep 15 2011, 6:59 PM EDT by Kawatapuarangi | ||
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Thread started: Sep 15 2011, 6:59 PM EDT
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Thank you for the valuable information within this site, even though I'm an older person I help many teenage girls with things that trouble them. And finding this site is very helpful to me to help those that come to me for advice - or just a shoulder to cry on! Thank you
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