December 10, 2025
Criminal law solicitor Sarah Myatt explains why proposed jury trial reforms won’t solve court delays and risk undermining a key pillar of UK justice.
Youth court legal representation
If a young person or child is accused of committing a crime, they could be asked to attend a hearing at the youth court. This can be a daunting prospect, but help is available. If you or a child in your care is requested to attend youth court, having a solicitor there can make all the difference. Not only will this help you to build a strong defence, but working with our experienced youth crime solicitors can also prepare you for the process and help you to feel supported at all stages. Young people are entitled to legal aid, so the cost of representation is covered for you.
At Switalskis, we can offer the emotional support and expert legal advice you need to get the best possible outcome from the legal process. Our youth court lawyers recognise the unique factors involved when young people are facing legal action, and are skilled at representing their interests and protecting their rights through the criminal justice system.
Contact Switalskis today to learn more about how our young offender solicitors can help. Call us on 0800 138 0458 or get in touch with us via our website .
To discuss your specific circumstances and find out how we can help, call us today on 0800 1380 458, or reach out to us via our website.
At Switalskis, the members of our crime team are not just solicitors; they’re also experienced advocates, which means they have the skills, experience to help defend the child. We understand that the impact of a criminal record on a young person has far-reaching consequences, often further than they had considered when they committed the offence. Our youth court solicitors ensure that the young person’s future is protected as much as possible by presenting a robust defence and challenging evidence.
If the child pleads guilty or is convicted, we'll represent them during sentencing to make sure that penalties are not overly harsh and minimise any impact on the child's future. The youth court deals with criminal offences ranging from the minor to the serious, and our team has experience in defending clients against all of these allegations. With a thorough knowledge of these offences in both adult court and youth court, our team can help families through the youth justice system.
The youth court is where people aged 10 to 17 go if they’re charged with committing a crime. There is no jury or spectators; the final decision is made by three magistrates or a district judge.
The person accused of committing a crime will be given a court date, and a parent or guardian must accompany a child under 16. However, if you receive a court order as well as the child, you must attend even if the young person is 16 or 17. Even if the court doesn’t order you to attend, it is always best to go with the young person on the day.
The local Youth Offending Team (or ‘Youth Justice Service’ in some areas) will support both the child and their parent or guardian. The young person will be referred to by their first name throughout the court hearings.
Having a solicitor in the youth court supporting the young person is key, as a criminal conviction may impact their future. A youth court solicitor’s role is to defend the child and make sure that any possible conviction will have the least impact on their life.
The youth court handles a range of cases, but not every criminal offence will be tried by the youth court. Some cases, like murder or some rape charges, will be passed to the Crown Court. Below is a list of the offences that may be tried in the youth court system:
Because cases may be passed to the Crown Court, it is vital to have a solicitor advocate and an in-house barrister to help a youth going to trial. We have both in our team and can offer consistent support from the youth court to the Crown Court, and will represent you no matter how your case moves forward.
It’s impossible to say exactly how much it’ll cost to defend against a criminal offence charge, as every case is different. The only way to get an accurate estimate is to contact Switalskis for a free initial consultation. We’ll assess your case, estimate the fees and break everything down for you to make sure you understand the financial implications before you decide to proceed.
In certain circumstances, we offer a fixed-fee service. These don’t factor in outside costs, which you may have to pay separately, but are usually inclusive of our handling of your case, right up to representation in court. We currently charge VAT on all our services and third-party disbursements at 20%.
Any advice and assistance we provide at a police station interview is free of charge.
While every case is different, the process for youth court trials generally unfolds in the same way. When you work with Switalskis, your solicitor will explain the process in more detail at the outset and advise you of any unique considerations for more serious offences. Then, as the process moves forward, we'll keep you up-to-date on how things are progressing. The process generally involves the following steps:
The young person will receive a notice with their court date. At this stage, seeking legal representation is crucial.
Our solicitors will prepare the case, gathering evidence such as:
Depending on the evidence available, we'll advise you on what to expect from the process moving forward, the likelihood of success, and the potential outcomes if the young person pleads guilty compared to defending the charge.
If a youth decides to plead not guilty and have a trial, our solicitor will challenge the prosecution evidence, present the defence case and make legal arguments and submissions as the case requires.
If a young person either decides to plead guilty or is convicted after trial, our solicitor will make submissions on sentence and the sentencing guidelines, put forward any personal mitigation on behalf of the youth, and highlight any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to the reasons why a young person committed the offence.
Throughout the criminal justice process, our team will liaise closely with the Youth Offending Team to ensure that the young person and any family members or guardians are fully supported and kept informed of any decisions or recommendations being made.
If the young person is found guilty, the court will issue a sentence based on the severity of the case. Sentences can include:
Your solicitor will present relevant mitigating factors to make sure the sentence is fair and proportionate. In this way, we uphold your right to a fair trial and protect your interests at all stages of the process.
To find out how we can help, call us today on 0800 1380 458, or reach out to us via our website.
Criminal law solicitor Sarah Myatt explains why proposed jury trial reforms won’t solve court delays and risk undermining a key pillar of UK justice.
The announcement that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be removed in 2028 has sparked debate, but one point is clear. If these roles are to go, the funding released must be directed towards areas where it can make a genuine difference to safety and public confidence.
Sarah Myatt joined Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero on an exclusive true crime podcast ‘True Criminals’. The episode, ‘Wrongfully Convicted: The Peter Sullivan Story’ discusses the recent quashed conviction of Peter Sullivan, the UK’s longest serving victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Sarah Myatt, Solicitor Advocate and legal representative for Peter Sullivan, has spoken to Phil McCann at the BBC about the government’s proposed uplift in compensation for victims of miscarriages of justice.
While the youth court is different from the adult court, it can be an equally daunting process for young people. Our team offers more than just legal support and the strongest possible defence. Our approach is founded on supporting the person at the heart of the case. Here's why Switalskis should be your first choice for youth court legal representation:
The legal process can be confusing, but our solicitors make it simple. Switalskis will break down the jargon to help you understand your options and the decisions you need to make.
We understand that dealing with allegations of a criminal offence can be stressful and emotional for a young person and their family. We make sure to listen to your needs, and build your defence to resolve your issues as simply as possible.
Our criminal team has many years of experience representing children and young people through the legal system. Our thorough knowledge of the law means you can rely on our tailored advice.
Receiving a criminal record at a young age can have an outsized impact on a person. Our solicitors will make sure you get a fair trial, and that all of the relevant evidence is presented. This includes any mitigating factors that can prevent an unfair sentence. We'll uphold your rights throughout the legal process.
If your child has been asked to attend youth court, having an experienced solicitor can make all the difference. Contact the youth court solicitors at Switalskis on 0800 138 0458 today for expert legal representation.