Pre-court services

Pre-court services for young offenders

This involves working with young people who have offended for the first and second time and received a Reprimand or Final Warning. 

Reprimand

A Reprimand is a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a young person who admits their guilt. It can only be given for a minor first offence.

Final Warning

A Final Warning is also a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a young person who admits their guilt, for a first or second (minor) offence. 

Unlike a Reprimand, the police will first bail the young person so that the Youth Justice Service (YJS) can carry out an assessment on them. This is normally carried out in their home, and includes contact with their family and school. 

If the YJS then feel it is appropriate, a short programme may be offered to the young person, which could involve taking part in activities to reduce their risk of re-offending.