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YOUR JUSTICE: Teen suspect needs bail to help family
A 15-year-old suspect is behind bars awaiting trial for burglary - but do you think he deserves bail?
To mark 100 years of youth justice in Sheffield The Star is running a mock trial involving the case of a 15-year-old Sheffield boy who is accused of burglary.
Each day you, The Star readers, can vote to decide whether his case should progress to the next stage of the justice system.
If he is found guilty you will be able to decide whether he should go to jail or serve his sentence in the community:
DAY TWO: Yesterday Star readers voted 96 per cent in favour of charging the youth with burglary while only four per cent voted against a prosecution.
He is remanded in custody to prevent further offending before his first appearance at Youth Court the next day.
Now that he is charged, lawyers begin building their prosecution case.
To secure a conviction they must prove to the Youth Court that he committed the offences "beyond reasonable doubt".
The next day the 15-year-old comes before the magistrates in the Youth Court.
The Youth Court is different to the adult courts in that the defendant is accompanied by an adult and does not have to stand in the dock.
The roles of the court staff are identified to the boy to ensure he knows who everyone is and feels less intimidated.
Unlike in the adult courts the public are not allowed into youth court hearings to protect the boy's identity.
The press are allowed to cover the hearing but are banned by law from identifying the youth, because of his age.
The lawyer representing the Crown Prosecution Service gives details about the burglary and tells the magistrates they think he should be remanded in custody until his trial as he could continue to offend if he is released on bail.
The solicitor representing the boy says he denies committing the offence.
He tells the court why he should be granted bail until the case is heard.
He says the boy lives with his two younger siblings and his parents who are heroin users.
They lead a chaotic lifestyle and the boy looks after his younger siblings. He cooks and cleans for them and takes them to school.
Without him at home to look after them there is a chance they could be taken into the care of social services.
Although he has offended in the past it has always been to support himself and his younger siblings, whom he takes good care of. He has complied with the police before and has always turned up for court previously.
Vote: Should he be released on bail? yes or no? Cast your vote in the box on the righthand side of this page.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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