Academic Jenni Ward at Middlesex University has published a paper which argues for specialist young adult courts that would ensure distinct and age-appropriate sentencing for young adults.  

Ward believes this model would allow for developmental maturity to be considered with more consistency across the court sentencing system. Carrying over the welfare focus from the youth justice system would foster a greater focus on long-term rehabilitation and reduce re-offending. 

She found that young adults may be disadvantaged when tried by an adult justice system as they are faced with complex legal processes and terminology – making it challenging for them to actively participate and understand what is going on.  

Citing international research conducted on the experiences of young adults in Hong Kong courts, Ward says: 

“The young adults were often confused by the language and unaware of the implications of certain complex legal decisions tasked to them.” 

Ward goes on to explore other international examples of young adult courts, including in New Zealand and Brooklyn, New York. An evaluation of the ‘Brooklyn Young Adult Initiative’ found encouraging results with participants of this programme less likely to receive prison sentences than the comparison group (2% v. 13%) going through the traditional court system, and more likely to consider the outcome of their case was fair. No evidence was found that public safety was compromised. 

Considering the growing evidence, Ward believes the time is right to test a young adult court in the criminal justice system of England and Wales. 

“It is evident that young adult courts by their tailored design are better able to account for the realities of (im)maturity of 18-25-year olds than standard courts and the social risks linked to difficult family and criminogenic environments can be addressed within this dedicated young adult model.” 

Criminal Court Sentencing: The Case for Specialist Young Adult Courts

You can read Jenni Ward’s full paper in the British Journal of Criminology.

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