Member

Sitting beneath the code is Crown Prosecution Service legal guidance, which reminds prosecutors that children may not appreciate the consequences of their actions or foresee those consequences and that they may not appreciate risk or the need to mitigate risk. A decision to prosecute must be taken only after a full review of the case and the background information, including information from the youth justice service, police or local authority. The circumstances to be considered include the child’s accommodation, family background and their physical and mental health. The overarching principles of preventing offending and the welfare of the child remain paramount.