A youth attendance order is an alternative to detention for children aged 15 years or over at the time of sentencing.
The Children’s Court can order a child on a youth attendance order to attend the youth justice unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety for a maximum of 12 months. The youth justice unit will specify:
- the number of hours that the child must attend (up to a maximum of 10 hours per week)
- the dates and times that the child must attend
- the education and other program activities that the child will participate in (this may include counselling).
Conditions of Youth Attendance Orders
Under a youth attendance order, a child must:
- attend the youth justice unit as instructed
- not reoffend
- if directed, complete up to 4 hours of community service per week
- report any changes of address, school or employment
- comply with any special conditions set by the Children’s Court.
Breaches of Youth Attendance Orders
A child may breach the youth attendance order by reoffending or by not complying with some part of the order. If a child breaches the order, the Children’s Court has the power to:
- vary the order and any conditions
- direct the child to comply with the order
- revoke the order and impose another sentencing order, such as detention in a youth justice centre for the remaining period of the order.
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