The Youth Justice Legal Centre have published a legal guide on turning 18 in the criminal justice system as well as a briefing on the same issue.
The work is the result of a project called Timely Justice: Turning 18 which has examined the inequities which arise for those who have committed offences as children but have turned 18 before being cautioned or prosecuted. The impact of turning 18 during the criminal justice process can be devastating. Those affected have offended as children but are unable to benefit from the legal protections afforded to children. The cause of the problem is often system delay, and the delays arising out of the coronavirus crisis mean this is likely to be a growing problem.
To launch the work, YJLC collaborated with the following experts to discuss the issues at a seminar:
Mr Justice William Davis – the judicial lead for youth justice in England & Wales
Claire Mawer – barrister and co-author of the legal guide
David Emanuel QC – leading criminal barrister who appeared in R v Balogun
Dr Enys Delmage – consultant in adolescent forensic psychiatry
Dr Laura Janes – legal director at the Howard League and specialist on the sentencing of young adults.
You can watch a recording of the event here.