Indigenous Youth Offenders
The criminal justice system uses unique policies and programs to address the difficulties associated with dealing with young offenders. It is widely accepted by the international and Australian standards that children and young offenders should be subject to an alternate criminal justice system than adults, which identifies and recognizes their inexperience and irresponsibility. “Best interests of the child” (CROC article 3). In NSW, daily there are over 500 under 18s incarcerated in juvenile institutions. With 69% between age 15-17 and 94% of them are male. 10-16 year olds make up 10% of the population and 20% of the offender population. Indigenous youth offenders represent the largest group of juveniles in custody. This essay will assess
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The criminal justice system uses a range of policies and international standards of law when dealing with young offenders. This is particularly evident when dealing with the rights of a child. The NSW criminal justice system draws legislation from such acts as the Young Offenders Act (1997), the United Nations CROC (1990) and the Law Enforcement (power and responsibilities) Act (2002). All of these acts of legislation are used to define that rights that each and every child has under Australian and NSW law. The criminal justice system portrays these acts and uses them to deal effectively with young offenders. Children have equal rights enjoyed by adults when arrested and questioned, although they also have other special protections and privileges due to their vulnerability and immaturity. They are as …show more content…
Phuong and Hunyh (2001). Johnny Phuong was suspected of committing armed robbery and a fatal shooting, and he was then arrested and the police conducted two interviews. In these interviews he admitted guilt and involvement in these crimes. However in court, the interviews and admission was deemed inadmissible due to the fact that Phuong did not have an appropriate responsible adult with him during this time (his 21 cousin, who was also intimidated by the police and stranger from the salvation army who did not have a chance to speak with him privately). The court found that neither support person bad been able to appropriately support Phuong nor give any guidance or
The criminal justice system uses a range of policies and international standards of law when dealing with young offenders. This is particularly evident when dealing with the rights of a child. The NSW criminal justice system draws legislation from such acts as the Young Offenders Act (1997), the United Nations CROC (1990) and the Law Enforcement (power and responsibilities) Act (2002). All of these acts of legislation are used to define that rights that each and every child has under Australian and NSW law. The criminal justice system portrays these acts and uses them to deal effectively with young offenders. Children have equal rights enjoyed by adults when arrested and questioned, although they also have other special protections and privileges due to their vulnerability and immaturity. They are as …show more content…
Phuong and Hunyh (2001). Johnny Phuong was suspected of committing armed robbery and a fatal shooting, and he was then arrested and the police conducted two interviews. In these interviews he admitted guilt and involvement in these crimes. However in court, the interviews and admission was deemed inadmissible due to the fact that Phuong did not have an appropriate responsible adult with him during this time (his 21 cousin, who was also intimidated by the police and stranger from the salvation army who did not have a chance to speak with him privately). The court found that neither support person bad been able to appropriately support Phuong nor give any guidance or