28 July 2025

Smaller but tougher: How the criminal justice system is processing young adults

Courts and sentencing, Young adults

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The last 15 years have seen a sharp decline in the number of young adults (18-24) going through the courts. That smaller number, however, are facing harsher outcomes.

Based on official statistics – published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) – this report draws out trends for young adults in the criminal justice system for more serious offences (defined here as indictable or triable either way) and highlights disparities across gender and ethnicity.

Criminal Justice, young adults
Smaller but tougher: How the criminal justice system is processing young adults

This Centre for Criminal Justice report looks at trends for young adults in the criminal justice system for more serious offences

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Joint Enterprise
The legal dragnet: Joint Enterprise law and its implications

'The legal dragnet' examines the law and prosecution practice concerning secondary liability, often referred to as 'joint enterprise'.

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Police, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs), stop and search
Serious Violence Disorders: The impression of doing something

In this briefing the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, in collaboration with StopWatch, analyse the introduction of Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs), which were introduced under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

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