Youth offending - financial penalties
The court can make financial penalties, as a way of dealing with offences, sometimes alongside other types of sentence.
Fines
Fines can be made for the young offender or their parent to pay. The maximum of the fines depends on the type of offence and harm done, but the ability of the person to pay is taken into consideration. If fines are not paid, that is a new offence which can lead to arrest and a new sentence.
Compensation Oorder
Compensation can be required to be paid to the person who was hurt or affected by the crime.
It can be ordered alongside another sentence, for example, a young person can be given a supervision order and told to pay compensation. Compensation can be paid in instalments and the ability to pay is taken into consideration.
Like with a fine, if compensation is not paid, this is a new offence and can lead to arrest and a new sentence.
Costs
In some cases the costs of bringing the case to court can be asked to be paid by the defendant. This is usually in cases that might be considered unnecessary, except that the defence have insisted on a court appearance.
Page last updated: 16/06/2009
