If you Plead Guilty or are Found Guilty after a Trial
If you say you are "guilty", the prosecutor will read out the details of the crime.
Listen carefully as its read out.
Tell your lawyer or the magistrate if you do not agree with everything the prosecutor says you did. Your lawyer will talk to the court for you.
If you are found guilty by the court after a trial the judge or magistrate will decide what the facts of the crime are. A youth justice officer might also have information about you for the court.
Your parents may be asked some questions, or they might want to speak to the court about you and the crime.
If you have committed crimes before, the court will also consider your record.
The judge or magistrate will usually then decide on your punishment. They will consider the crime you committed. They will also consider you as an individual and your situation.
Sometimes you might not get a punishment straight away and you might have to come back to court another day.
That happens when the judge or magistrate needs more information about you. That information helps them to decide on a suitable sentence.
You and your parents will most likely need to talk to a youth justice officer. They will then write a report for the court. When that report is ready you will have to come back to court for your punishment.
Between court appearances, you might be remanded in custody or released on bail.
If you are remanded in custody you will be kept in a detention centre between court dates.
If you need more information, please contact the Children's Court.
Last updated: 10 April 2024