Pre-Sentence Report

This page contains everything you need to know about Pre-Sentence Reports. Information for parents is also located on this page.

• Why has a Report been Ordered?
• What will happen next?
• What are the report Contents?
• Who sees the report?
• Parent Responsibility
• Complaints

Why has a report been ordered?

Your case has been adjourned because the Magistrate / Judge has decided that they need to know more about you before deciding on the most suitable sentence.  They have now asked the Youth Offending Team to prepare a written report for the next Court hearing.  The Youth Offending Team Officer will discuss the possible sentence with you.

What will happen next?

You will be contacted by a member of the Youth Offending Team, who will offer you a time and date for an interview. 

If you are unable to keep this appointment, or do not hear from us within five working days, it is most important that you contact the Youth Offending Team Office as soon as possible to arrange a convenient date for interview.

 
What information will the report contain?

The Magistrate / Judge needs to understand why you committed the offence and how you feel about it now.  The Youth Offending Team Officer will also ask about your personal circumstances in order to help with this.  There may be other people whose views may be relevant to your cases, where appropriate, the Youth Offending Team Officer will make contact with them.

 
If you have any previous convictions, these will be known to the Court and discussed with you.

The report will not be seen by the Police or read aloud, but the Magistrate / Judge may ask questions or comment on the report.  You will have the opportunity to read the report before the Court hearing. 

It is very important that you keep your appointment.  A report from a Youth Offending Team Officer should help the Magistrate / Judge decide on the most suitable sentence for you as quickly as possible.

Who sees the report?

• You & Your Parents
• Your Solicitor / Barrister
• The Magistrate / Judge & Court Clerk
• Youth Offending Team Staff
• Crown Prosecution Service

Parent Responsibility

If you are under 16, your parents must attend Court with you.  If you are 16 or 17, the Court may order your parents to attend.

Under some circumstances, your parents may be made responsible for the payment of fines or compensations, and they may be Bound Over to exercise proper control over you.  The Youth Offending Team Officer will discuss with you the options that will be outlined in the Report.

Complaints

If you feel that anything in the report is unfair or untrue, either you or your Solicitor / Barrister will be able to say so.

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly during the preparation of your report, please contact the Youth Offending Team Manager, who will discuss the matter with you.