The Townsville Youth Court is part of the Childrens Court.
The Townsville Youth Court includes a dedicated magistrate and cultural support provided by the Townsville Community Justice Group.
What the Townsville Youth Court aims to do
The Townsville Youth Court helps young people aged 10 to 17 who are repeat offenders and at high risk of re-offending.
What to expect at the Townsville Youth Court
The court works like other Children's Courts. A prosecutor presents the case, while legal representatives advocate for the young person. Court liaison officers from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, along with the Department of Education, also offer support.
A dedicated magistrate handles all cases and works closely with the young person to track their progress in intervention programs and services.
The Townsville Community Justice Group, or First Nations Court Support, is crucial to the Youth Court. Elders and respected people give cultural reports and cultural information to the magistrate. They also support young people in court and at youth detention centres.
Reviews and evaluations
An evaluation of Youth Court (PDF, 2.9 MB) was completed in 2023. The goal was to see how the court helps young people in the justice system as part of the Youth Justice reforms.
