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Need legal advice as a youth or vulnerable suspect?
We have extensive experience of representing youths and people with vulnerabilities who, on occasions, are one and the same.
We accept instructions from Court of Protection appointed Deputies to act for their clients and also from charities and support agencies who work with the vulnerable and disadvantaged. We are proud to work hand in hand with volunteer and charitable organisations in protecting their clients.
Please contact us so we can discuss how we may assist you.
What we offer
We have through our work developed extensive contacts and built strong relationships with a wide variety of experts. These include forensic psychiatrists and psychologists some of whom specifically deal with children and vulnerable adults.
If you have a young person in need or a vulnerable adult who requires assistance with a legal matter, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
The Youth Justice System
The aim of the youth justice system principally is to prevent offending by children and young persons. In doing so the youth justice system must have regard to the welfare of the child or young person and shall in a proper case take steps for removing them from undesirable surroundings, and for securing that proper provision is made for their education and training.
The procedural rules for youths in the criminal justice system is very different than for adults. Youths i.e. anyone under the age of 18 cannot be questioned by police without the benefit of an Appropriate Adult being present to look after the youth’s welfare and facilitate communication.
Any youth charged with a criminal offence should have their case heard in the Youth Court which deals with anyone under the age of 18.
If, however the youth commits an offence when under the age of 18 but then turns 18 before their first court appearance then the Youth Court no longer has jurisdiction and they must appear before the Magistrates Court charged as an adult.
Most youths when charged will have their cases heard in the Youth Court wherever possible and their cases should not be transferred to the Crown Court unless necessary or specified by law e.g. homicide.
The rules regarding allocation of Youth cases (which court should hear them), remanding a youth into custody and sentencing of youth offenders are all very different from adult offenders. Please contact us immediately for specialist advice if your child is facing either a criminal investigation or criminal proceedings.
They made me feel like they cared and felt like family.
LR of Surrey
The best thing about Levales was..the patience given to myself due to my mental state. Being treated as a normal person and being honest.
DW of Hampshire
Our cases
Please see below some of the cases we acted in for youths and vulnerable suspects. If you would like us to represent you, a vulnerable child, or a young person in need, get in touch now.
01
R v O et al (a Youth) 2017 Winchester Crown Court
Drew Pettifer acted for a youth charged with Being knowingly concerned in the supply of Class A Drugs as part of a ‘County Lines’ drug operation.
02
R v P (a Youth) 2017 Kingston upon Thames Crown Court
Autistic child charged with Attempted Murder following stabbing their mother eleven times.