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Court orders for youth offenders
In this section:
- What are dispositional orders
- How the court decides on dispositional orders
- How parents can help youth offenders
What are dispositional orders
Court orders for youth offenders are called dispositional orders. The Youth Courts can make different types of dispositional orders that focus on rehabilitating youth offenders. The orders also have a component of deterrence and punishment to discourage the youth offenders from committing further offences.
After the youth offender has pleaded guilty or been found guilty of an offence, the judge may call for a probation suitability report before deciding on the orders to make. The case will be fixed for a hearing about 4 to 6 weeks from the date the youth offender pleaded guilty or was found guilty. The youth offender will be remanded in the meantime or be released on bail if it is offered.
Types of dispositional orders
The court may make one or more of the following orders (1). The youth offender's parents or guardians may also need to comply with certain orders.
As a youth offender, you may be:
- Discharged (with no dispositional order).
- Discharged after entering a bond to be on good behaviour and to comply with any other orders that the court may impose.
- Committed to the care of a relative (or a fit person whom the court thinks can protect and supervise you) for a period specified by the court.
- Supervised by a probation officer or volunteer probation officer for a period between 6 months and 3 years. This is also known as a probation order.
- Required to perform community service under conditions specified by the court, for up to 240 hours in total.
- Held in a place of detention for up to 6 months.
- Held in a place of detention or an approved institution over a number of weekends, up to 26 weekends.
- Sent to a juvenile rehabilitation centre for up to 3 years.
- Ordered to pay a fine, damages or costs.
- Dealt with under Section 305 of the Criminal Procedure Code and ordered to undergo a period of reformative training if:
- You have turned 18 years old.
- You are between 14 and 18 years old, were previously charged in court for another offence and sent to a juvenile rehabilitation centre for that offence.
As the youth offender’s parent or guardian, the court may order you to:
Enter into a bond
This is to ensure you exercise proper care and guardianship of the youth offender, and comply with court orders related to the youth's welfare, maintenance and rehabilitation.
Undergo counselling, psychotherapy or related programmes
You will be required to attend these sessions together with the young offender. The aims of these programmes include:
- Resolving any relationship problems between you and the youth offender.
- Rehabilitating or assisting in the youth offender’s rehabilitation.
- Enabling you to manage the youth offender.
- Enhancing or protecting the youth offender’s physical, social and emotional well-being and safety.
You may be asked to enter into a bond to ensure you follow the order. If you fail to comply with the order, you may be guilty of an offence and be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.
If the youth offender disobeys a dispositional order
The court will monitor the youth offender's progress through review reports by a probation officer or a progress presentation review.
The court can vary (change) a dispositional order if a youth offender breaches it. A youth offender may have to face consequences such as:
- An extended period of probation, with additional conditions.
- Having the probation revoked (and being sent to a juvenile rehabilitation centre).
- Being ordered to undergo reformative training under Sections 49(1)(k) and 49(4) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may seek independent legal advice or community resources.
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