But why do I need a solicitor if I haven’t done anything wrong?

Some people think that it will seem like they have something to hide if they have a solicitor with them. This isn’t the case, sexual offences are highly complex and specialist legal advice will simply ensure that you are not disadvantaged in any way. When you are innocent, you want to do everything in your power to put the best defence forward, your liberty, reputation and livelihood is at stake. Specialist sexual offence solicitors on your side will ensure that you are provided with advance notice about any allegations so that you can prepare for any questions. Without a solicitor, the police do not have to give you any advanced warning.

What if I have been falsely accused?

Firstly, do not try to contact the complainant, your first step should be to contact us.

I have been ‘Released under Investigation’, what does this mean?

The police will continue to investigate the allegations against you, but no bail conditions apply. Nick Titchener, director and solicitor advocate explains further.

What does ‘historic sexual offences’ mean?

‘Historic sexual offences’ refers to cases when allegations are made about sexual offences a long time after the alleged incident. The offence is then prosecuted.

What if the accused is now at an elderly age?

Sometimes the accused might now be elderly and suffering from health issues. This can be especially upsetting for their family and loved ones. Our solicitors handle all cases sensitively and must consider if the accused is fit to stand trial.

What does ‘possession’ of indecent images mean?

To be found guilty of possession of indecent images, there must be evidence of physical possession, control and custody of the indecent images, as well as the knowledge that the images are on your device and are indecent in nature.

What are ‘prohibited’ images?

Prohibited images are illegal but different to indecent images of children — it is a crime to possess them. They might involve child pornography (including drawings), but typicallly are those of extreme violence/torture and some sado-masochistic acts or animal abuse.

Will telephone and social media evidence be relevant?

Yes, it is becoming more common for text messages and relevant social media posts to be used as evidence. The police will often seize any mobile devices and download evidence which can be unnerving and upsetting. If you find yourself in this situation, you should have legal representation as soon as possible. Some believe they don’t need legal help as they are innocent, but it is vital that you get the best legal advice whatever the circumstances, so that you don’t say anything you regret later.

What does consent mean in sex offences?

Consent is to give agreement to any sexual activity. It is necessary to show that the accused believed that the other party genuinely consented. Consent is an issue to consider when the case involves adults, but not children.

Youth Offence Solicitors

Has a child been arrested or accused of a criminal offence? Need urgent help? Lawtons Criminal Defence Solicitors are available now. Call us immediately on 0333 577 0522

Has a child been arrested? Futures are on the line – don’t delay and get in touch now.

Common Assault Solicitors

Common Assault can be a difficult aspect of law to get your head around – no physical contact needs to have even been made to be found guilty. It’s important you get the legal expertise you need to get the best outcome from a case involving common assault. Read more

ABH & GBH Solicitors

Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) and Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) are differentiated through the level of injury the victim sustained. Many defence cases are built on self-defence, the Courts look to assess the intentions and the level of force used to assess appropriate penalties. Read more

Knife Violence Solicitors

With the recent rise in violent knife crime in London, there are now harsher and longer sentencing guidelines around possession of pointed or bladed weapons. A conviction can lead to up to four years in prison. It is vital to contact a specialist solicitor before taking part in any sort of police interview. Read more

Theft and Shoplifting Solicitors

Theft is one of three ‘dishonesty cases’, and can be one of the most difficult areas of the law. Lawtons Solicitors have specialist theft solicitors with the expertise to work through the details of your case and get you the best possible outcome. Read more

Drug Offence & Supply Solicitors

Drug offences can be often hard to understand, so expert advice is key for understanding such charges. Read on to find out how each is different. Read more

Sexual Assault Defence Solicitors

If you have been accused of sexual assault, the allegation can have a devastating impact on every area of your life. That’s why it’s crucial that you get reliable legal advice from a criminal defence solicitor with expertise in sexual crime. Read more

Specialist Rape Defence Solicitors

Sentences for Rape served by the Crown Court, and a life sentence is a possible consequence for a rape crime. It is imperative you seek specialist legal advice to protect your rights, your reputation and get you the most positive result. Read more

Indecent Images Solicitors

As with other sexual allegations, your reputation is at stake. Indecent Images Charges can be one of the hardest charges to defend due to discrepancies in the law. It’s vital that you have a specialist and experienced team on your side. Read more

What is classed as a Youth Offence?

Youth offences or youth crime is an offence committed by a child between the ages of 10 and 17. In England, the age of criminal responsibility is 10 years old, meaning if a child under the age of 10 commits an offence they cannot be convicted.

Having a strong defence and the guidance of specialist youth crime solicitors is vital, as certain youth convictions can remain on a criminal record well into adulthood, if not permanently. This can affect future education, employment and insurance prospects.

Our team of expert youth offences solicitors has years of experience in handling youth cases and understands how to secure the best possible outcome for you or your child.

What are common types of youth offences?

There are a broad range of offences committed by children and young people. However, certain offences tend to be more common:

Theft and Handling of Stolen Goods
Public Order Offences
Assault and Serious Violence
Drug Offences
Knife and Offensive Weapon Offences

In certain cases, youth offending may be the result of child criminal exploitation (CCE). Our team of specialist youth solicitors are experienced in handling cases relating to CCE and modern slavery and will prepare a robust defence to ensure a positive outcome.

What involvement do parents/guardians have in youth crime proceedings?

If a child is facing criminal charges or is under criminal investigation, their parents, guardians or carers can be largely involved in all aspects of proceedings.

When a child is arrested, the Police must inform their parents/guardians as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a parent/guardian may be required to act as the appropriate adult at the Police Station.

In the Youth Court, attendance of a parent or guardian is mandatory for a child under the age of 16. In some cases, parents/guardians maybe considered responsible for addressing their child’s offending behaviour and may be involved in various programmes to prevent reoffending.

Why choose Lawtons youth offending solicitors?

We have years of experience representing children accused of criminal offences and succeeding in having charges discontinued in many cases. We will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you or your child, ensuring transparency and sensitivity throughout.

We understand how distressing it is for children and their family to be facing a criminal conviction. Equally, we understand the serious impact that a conviction can have on a child’s future. A strong defence can make a huge difference in the type of penalty imposed and, in some cases, may lead to charges being dropped.

Taking into consideration the details of the case, we will advise you or your child on the best approach to take throughout proceedings, starting from the police station through to the youth court, if applicable. If a child has been accused of a criminal offence, it’s vital to contact a specialist solicitor for advice as soon as possible. Futures are on the line – don’t hesitate and contact us today.

FAQs about Youth Offences

How do youth sentences affect a child’s future?

Depending on the nature of the offence and the sentence imposed, a childhood conviction will remain on child’s criminal record until it is spent. In some cases, a childhood conviction is never spent. However, all convictions regardless of whether they are spent will remain on the Police National Computer (PNC) until the individual turns 100 years old.

At what age can a child be charged with a criminal offence?

In England, the age of criminal responsibility is 10, meaning that children between the ages of 10-17 can be charged and convicted of a criminal offence. The following are various social, economic and environmental factors (interpreted from research by Youth Violence Commission) that can contribute to a child’s involvement in serious violence:

Does a criminal record stay with a child forever?

When a youth conviction becomes ‘spent’ will depend on the type of offence committed and the sentence imposed. For fines and Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YRO), the conviction can be spent 6 months after imposed. For Detention and Training Orders (DTO), it depends on the length of the DTO. When a conviction is spent can range from 18 months post-DTO completion, to never spent.

How common is youth crime in the UK?

This question does not have a straightforward answer. Although youth crime has been falling in recent years, it is higher than it was a decade ago. Annual youth crime statistics are published on the gov.uk website which can give a deeper insight into youth crime trends on a year-on-year basis.

What is the Youth Court?

The Youth Court is a type of Magistrates’ Court which exclusively hears cases relating to youth offences. These cases are either heard by three Magistrates or a single District Judge sitting alone.

Am I responsible for my child’s crime in the UK?

Parents are not liable for personal injury, loss or damage that has been caused by their child in the UK. However, you can be held liable for your child’s actions if you were negligent, for example allowing the child’s actions or failing to prevent a certain incident – but this wouldn’t be a criminal offence.

Has a child been arrested? Contact us now to safeguard your future.

Youth offences can be very serious and can lead to life-long consequences if convicted. You need expert representatives to defend you. At Lawtons, we have a team of youth specialists with vast experience in this area. We will examine your case in detail and prepare a thorough defence to ensure the best possible outcome. Call us today on 0333 577 0522.

Often, youth offences are misunderstood. If your child is facing an allegation, our specialist team will ensure that their rights as children are upheld and we will guide them through this stressful time.

We represent cases including: