Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill: summary - easy read

Criminal Justice System

As the most serious cases will still go to the criminal justice system, there will be more safeguards available for children aged under 18.

Children who get in trouble with the law may be vulnerable and have had problems in their lives.

The criminal justice system is all of the organisations and professionals that deal with crime and the courts.

A court is the place where a decision is made about whether someone has committed a crime. There are different kinds of courts, they might have a Sheriff or a Judge.

The Bill will mean that

• When a child is taken to a police station, they should always be visited by their parent, another adult or social worker. No child will be able to be interviewed without a lawyer. Before court children should be kept a more child-friendly place.
• More steps will be taken to protect children at court. The court will now need to think about how they can help the child to be involved in their case.
• Extra steps to protect the privacy of children in the criminal justice system, including victims and witnesses.
• The court will be able to ask the hearing for advice about what to do next when any child has been found guilty.
• Children will no longer be remanded or sentenced to Young Offenders Institutions - instead they would go to secure care.
• A child placed in secure care through court will get the same support as a "looked after" child. This might mean they can access more help when they leave.