Sentences for children and young people under 18

If you鈥檙e under 18 you鈥檒l be treated differently to adults by a court. You will only get a custodial sentence in some cases.

The sentence cannot be longer than an adult would get for the same crime.

Detention and training orders

If you鈥檙e aged between 12 and 17 you could get a detention and training order. This lasts between 4 months and 2 years.

You would serve the first half of the sentence in custody.

You鈥檇 serve the second half of the sentence in the community 鈥榰nder supervision鈥�.

You must meet certain conditions when serving a sentence under supervision.

If you break the conditions while under supervision, you might be sent back into custody.

Longer custodial sentences

If you鈥檙e under 18 you could get a longer custodial sentence for a serious crime. For example, a crime that was violent or sexual.

You would serve some of the sentence in custody.

You鈥檇 serve the rest of the sentence in the community 鈥榦n licence鈥�.

You must meet certain conditions when serving a sentence on licence.

Life sentences

If you鈥檙e found guilty of murder, a court must give you a life sentence. A court could give a life sentence for other serious offences like rape or armed robbery.

The court decides how long you must serve in custody before you can be considered for parole.

If you鈥檙e released, you鈥檒l be put on licence for the rest of your life.