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Childrens Court of Queensland

District Court - criminal

The Childrens Court of Queensland (CCQ) deals with all juveniles who commit criminal offences while under the age of 17 years, unless the court orders that the matter be dealt with in an adult court.

Matters involving children can be heard in the adult District Court of Queensland if:

the child is charged as an adult
the proceedings have been committed up to the District Court following an application under the Juvenile Justice Act 1992, for example, if a child is co-accused with an adult.

CCQ matters are usually heard in a closed court. This means that only people who are directly involved in the case can be present. Members of the public are not usually allowed to be in court and no one is permitted to publish identifying information about the accused.

The CCQ is presided over by judges who have been appointed from the District Court. Matters are heard in accordance with the guidelines set down in the Childrens Court Act 1992 and the Juvenile Justice Act 1992.

Matters involving children can also be heard in the Magistrates or Supreme Court. These cases are also heard in accordance with the guidelines set out in both of these acts.

Child protection matters

The CCQ also deals with appeals against child protection orders made by a magistrate. In these cases, the court will make a directive to protect a child from harm.

The following legislation may assist you:

Last updated Friday, March 27, 2009 15:43