Further to a previous article, from 12 February 2018, defendants in Queensland Courts aged 17 years of age will have their criminal charges dealt with through the Youth Justice System rather than in the adult criminal justice system. This includes any 17-year-old defendants who have court proceeding currently before a Queensland Magistrates, District or Supreme Court. Those 17-year old’s serving sentences of imprisonment in adult correctional facilities who will turn 18 or will be released after 12 March 2018 will be eligible to be transferred to youth detention centres and any 17-year-old currently subject to a community-based order with Probation and Parole will also be diverted to a Youth Justice caseworker.
The changes are part of the implementation of the Youth Justice and Other Legislation (inclusion of 17 year old Persons) Amendment Act which was originally passed by the Palaszczuk Government in 2016.
The changes will bring Queensland into line with other Australian states and territories regarding how 17-year-old defendants are dealt with in relation to criminal charges.
If you require any assistance with any criminal law matters, please do not hesitate to contact Steven Hayles.
