Young adults who have committed offences as children must have the opportunity to build meaningful futures and be treated fairly. Turning 18 has a profound impact. If a child reaches this age before criminal proceedings are commenced, they will become an adult in the eyes of the law.

System delay is the main reason children turn 18 between the commission of an offence and prosecution, resulting in real injustice. For a growing number of young adults this happens because it can take months or in some cases years for the police or the Crown Prosecution Service (“CPS”) to make a charging decision, leaving them, their families and the victims in limbo.

Published in June 2020 by the Youth Justice Legal Centre.