2013 - Juez Christopher Harding, Juez Andrew Becroft
The document entitled "10 Characteristics of A Good Youth
Justice System" was written by Judge Christopher J. Harding and Judge
Andrew J. Becroft and presented at the Pacific Judicial Development Programme
(Family Violence and Youth Justice Workshop) in February 2013.
This document
provides an overview of ten characteristics that a good youth justice system
would possess. It highlights that a good youth justice
system is a specialised system, created with the understanding that young
people are not just "junior adults" but developmentally, almost a
"different species of human being", and with markedly different
responses than adults. A good system recognises their vulnerability and
includes protections that enable them to desist from offending in the future.
It is beneficial to young people to offer them a response and treatment that is
separate to that of adults.
