Guide — criminal jurisdiction

[11-3000] Relevant legislation

Last reviewed: June 2024
  • Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (“CCPA”)

  • Children’s Court Act 1987 (“CCA”)

  • Children’s Court Rule 2000 (“CCR”)

  • Children (Community Service Orders) Act 1987 (“CCSO”)

  • Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 (“CDCA”)

  • Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997 (“CPPR”)

  • Young Offenders Act 1997 (“YOA”)

  • Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (“CSPA”)

  • Education Act 1990

[11-3020] Jurisdiction

Last reviewed: May 2023

Jurisdiction and criminal responsibility

Section 28 of the CCPA states that the Children’s Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings if the offence is alleged to have been committed by a person:

(a) 

who was a child when the offence was committed; and

(b) 

who was under the age of 21 years when charged before the Children’s Court with the offence.

Jurisdiction and driving matters

The Children’s Court only has jurisdiction for driving matters where:

(a) 

at least one other charge for an offence committed at the same time comes within the Children’s Court criminal jurisdiction: s 28(2)(a) CCPA;

(b) 

the young person is under licensable age (cll 12(2), 12(3) Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017): s 28(2)(b) CCPA. The licensable age is 16 years for driving cars and 16 years and 9 months for driving motorbikes.

[11-3040] Doli incapax

Last reviewed: May 2023

Children under 10 years are conclusively presumed to be incapable of committing a criminal offence: s 5 CCPA. Where a child is over 10 years old but under 14, there is a common law presumption of doli incapax. In such cases, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the child did the act charged and, when doing the act, knew it was wrong, as distinct from merely naughty or mischievous: RP v The Queen (2016) 259 CLR 641 at [9].

Judgments on doli incapax are located at [9-1140]ff.

[11-3060] Admissions

Last reviewed: May 2023

Under s 13 of the CCPA, admissions are not to be admitted unless a parent, chosen support person or lawyer was present, unless the court is satisfied that there was a proper and sufficient reason for the absence of such an adult, and considers that, in the particular circumstances of the case, the statement or admissions should be admitted: s 13(1)(b) CCPA; R v Mercury [2019] NSWSC 81.

Judgments on admissions are located at [9-1020]ff.

[11-3080] Forensic procedure

Last reviewed: May 2023

The law permitting orders to be made to undertake forensic procedures on suspects applies to a child: s 3(1) Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000 (“CFPA”).

A child cannot consent to a procedure and a court order must be obtained: ss 7, 23 CFPA.

Where a child over 14 years old is in lawful custody for any offence, a police officer may take or cause identity particulars to be taken, including the child’s photograph, fingerprints or palm prints: s 136 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (“LEPRA”).

If the Children’s Court finds a child not guilty, or finds the offence proven but dismisses the charge, it is to make an order requiring the destruction of any photographs, fingerprints and palm prints relating to the offence: s 38(1) CCPA.

Judgments on forensic procedure are located at [9-1200]ff.

[11-3100] Bail

Last reviewed: June 2024

The Bail Act 2013 applies to any person accused of an offence (s 7(2)), including children. However, the show cause requirement does not apply if the accused was under 18 years old at the time of the offence: s 16A(3). The court must consider whether any of the unacceptable risks listed in s 19(2) are present before making a bail decision. If satisfied there are no unacceptable risks, bail is to be granted unconditionally: s 20. If satisfied one or more unacceptable risks exist, bail may nonetheless be granted if conditions can be imposed that sufficiently mitigate that risk. When determining bail for a child, one of the factors to be considered in deciding whether there is an unacceptable risk is “any special vulnerability or needs the accused person has including because of youth”: s 18(1)(k).

Bail conditions for children, as with adults, should be determined according to the legislative provisions in the Bail Act and not influenced by considerations associated with the welfare of the child (unless provided for in the Bail Act). For example, the imposition of a curfew on a child for an offence which occurred during the day may not be reasonable and proportionate to the offence for which bail is granted (see Bail Act s 20A(2)(b)).

Section 28 permits the court to make an accommodation requirement as a bail condition where the accused is a child: s 28(1), (3). If an accommodation requirement is imposed in respect of a child, the court must ensure the matter is re-listed for further hearing at least every 2 days until that requirement is complied with: s 28(4). This is for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring the child’s release, and is not a review of bail as bail has already been granted. A court may require a report from an officer of a government agency about efforts to obtain accommodation, but does not permit a direction that the agency secures accommodation s 28(5).

Magistrates should not require a young person to reside as directed by Youth Justice as a bail condition.

Unless a young person has pleaded guilty, Youth Justice will not provide bail supervision to a young person as a condition of bail. If a young person has not pleaded guilty Youth Justice may provide them with bail support but it should not be a condition of bail.

Note the limitation on bail in s 22C for young persons, aged 14–17 (inclusive), alleged to have committed a relevant offence when on bail for another relevant offence.

A relevant offence is a:

  • “motor theft offence” (Crimes Act 1900, ss 154A, 154C, 154F)

  • “serious breaking and entering offence” (Crimes Act, Pt 4, Div 4 offence with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment or more), or

  • “performance crime offence” (Crimes Act, s 154K, if the underlying offence is a motor theft offence or serious breaking and entering offence): s 22C(6).

In such cases, bail must not be granted unless the court has a “high degree of confidence” the person will not commit a serious indictable offence while on bail: s 22C(1). This determination may be made only after an assessment of bail concerns and whether any conditions could reasonably address the risk of the person committing a further serious indictable offence: s 22C(2). The requirement to establish that bail should be refused remains with the prosecution: s 22C(3). The transitional provision for s 22C in Sch 3, Pt 4, cl 14 Bail Act states the provision applies retrospectively to offences alleged prior to its commencement on 3 April 2024 (Sch 3). In R v RB [2024] NSWSC 471, Lonergan J held that, in respect of the transitional provision, the Second Reading Speech makes clear s 22C applies when the offence for which bail is being sought is alleged to have been committed after the provision commenced: [39]. The provision expires 12 months after commencement: s 22C(5).

Judgments on bail are located at [9-1100]ff.

Bail report

The court will typically be required to adjourn for seven days to allow for the preparation of a bail plan by Youth Justice.

[11-3120] Committals

Last reviewed: May 2023

The court has no jurisdiction to deal with a “serious children’s indictable offence” to finality: ss 3, 17, 28(1) CCPA. Generally, if a child is charged with an offence (other than a serious children’s indictable offence) the proceedings are dealt with summarily: s 31(1).

See Div 3AA on child sexual assault offences.

See ss 31G and 31H on guilty pleas.

[11-3140] Sentencing

Last reviewed: May 2023

See generally, KT v R [2008] NSWCCA 51. See also [11-1020] “Sentencing options — Murphy/Still sheet”.

See also, s 6 CCPA, Principles relating to exercise of functions under Act.

Judgments on sentencing are located at [9-1340]ff.

Background report

Section 25(2)(a) of the CCPA provides that a court cannot make an order under s 33(1)(g) unless a background report has been prepared. The court will typically adjourn for the preparation of a background report for 6 weeks if the young person is on bail or 2 weeks if the young person is in custody.

Children’s Court orders and application of Criminal Records Act

Order under s 33 CCPA Section of CCPA When conviction is spent under Criminal Records Act 1991 (CRA)
Dismissal without caution 33(1)(a)(i) s 5(c) CRA specifically excludes this order. It defines conviction as “an order under s 33 of the [CCPA], other than an order dismissing a charge”.
Dismissal with caution 33(1)(a)(i) An order of the Children’s Court dismissing a charge and administering a caution is spent immediately after the caution is administered: s 8(3) CRA.
Discharge on condition of entering into good behaviour bond 33(1)(a)(ii) Spent upon satisfactory completion of the bond period: s 8(4)(a) CRA. Although there is no reference to s 8(4) within the parenthesis in s 10(1) CRA, s 8(1) provides that a “conviction is spent on completion of the relevant crime-free period [as set out in s 10], except as provided by this section”.
Good behaviour bond 33(1)(b) This is ambiguous but arguably this order is caught by s 8(4) CRA on the basis that s 33(1)(b) CCPA previously stated “it may make an order releasing the person on condition that the person enters into a good behaviour bond … as it thinks fit”. This conforms with the text in s 8(4) which requires the words “or the making of an order releasing” to be read disjunctively. Therefore, the conviction is spent upon satisfactory completion of the bond period: s 8(4)(a).
Fine 33(1)(c) This is difficult to discern from the text of the CRA. It may be a long shot to argue that where the Children’s Court imposes a fine without proceeding to conviction, the finding of guilt is “spent immediately after the finding is made”: s 8(2) CRA. The argument rests on a proposition that s 8(2) can be utilised for orders in addition to s 10 CSPA. The parenthesis in s 10(1) CRA suggests s 8(2) applies to s 33 orders. Note, though s 8(2) may apply even if a fine is only part of the court’s order under s 33(1)(d), (e1) CCPA. If the Children’s Court proceeds to conviction, the order is not caught by s 8(2) or s 8(3) and the crime-free period of 3 years applies: ss 8(1), 10(1) CRA.
Release subject to compliance with outcome plan 33(1)(c1) It is arguable that a conviction under s 33(1)(c1) CCPA is spent upon satisfactory completion of outcome plan: s 8(4)(a) CRA. The terms within s 8(4)(a) “the making of an order releasing, the offender … on other conditions” appears to include orders under s 33(1)(c1).
Adjournment 33(1)(c2) Not a final sentencing order (akin to s 11 CSPA with regard to the deferral of sentencing for rehabilitation, participation in an intervention program or other purposes).
Good behaviour bond and fine 33(1)(d) As to the fine, see above. Otherwise, this is ambiguous. Arguably this order is caught by s 8(4) CRA on the basis that s 33(1)(b) CCPA previously stated “it may make an order releasing the person on condition that the person enters into a good behaviour bond … as it thinks fit”. This conforms with the text in s 8(4). It requires the words “or the making of an order releasing” to be read disjunctively. Therefore, the conviction is spent upon satisfactory completion of the bond period: s 8(4)(a).
Probation 33(1)(e) Spent upon satisfactory completion of the probation period: s 8(4)(b) CRA. Although there is no reference to s 8(4) within s 10(1) CRA, s 8(1) provides that a “conviction is spent on completion of the relevant crime-free period, except as provided by this section”.
Probation and fine 33(1)(e1) Spent upon satisfactory completion of the probation period: s 8(4)(b) CRA. Although there is no reference to s 8(4) within s 10(1) CRA, s 8(1) provides that a “conviction is spent on completion of the relevant crime-free period, except as provided by this section”.
Community service order 33(1)(f) The order is not caught by ss 8(2), 8(3) or 8(4) CRA. Therefore, the crime-free period of 3 years applies: ss 8(1), 10(1) CRA.
Probation and community service order 33(1)(f1) Spent upon satisfactory completion of the probation period: s 8(4)(b) CRA. Although there is no reference to s 8(4) within s 10(1) CRA, s 8(1) provides that a “conviction is spent on completion of the relevant crime-free period, except as provided by this section”.
Control order 33(1)(g) The order is not caught by ss 8(2), 8(3) or 8(4) CRA. Therefore, the crime-free period of 3 years applies: ss 8(1), 10(1) CRA. Section 7(4) CRA provides that “prison sentence” for the purposes of the exceptions (where convictions cannot be spent) does not include “detaining of a person under a control order”.
Suspended control order 33(1B) The order is not caught by ss 8(2), 8(3) CRA. Therefore, the crime-free period of 3 years applies: ss 8(1), 10(1) CRA.

Recording a conviction

A conviction cannot be recorded if the young person is under 16 years at the time of the offence: s 14(1) CCPA. A court can choose not to record a conviction for young people above 16 years.

Judgments on recording of conviction are located at [9-1320]ff.

Placement on Child Protection Register

Section 3C of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 states that a court that sentences a person for a sexual offence committed by the person when the person was a child may make an order declaring that the person is not to be treated as a registrable person for the purposes of this Act in respect of that offence.

Mental Health Forensic Provisions

Part 2 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 applies to children in the Children’s Court.

Judgments on the (now repealed) Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 are located at [9-1280]ff.

[11-3160] Young Offenders Act

Last reviewed: May 2023

The Children’s Court may utilise the YOA in three ways:

(1) 

by giving a caution (s 31(1) YOA);

(2) 

by referral to a youth justice conference (YJC); and

(Matters are usually adjourned for 2 months for YJC assessment and for a plan to be approved by the court and dispensed with.)

(3) 

if the matter (though admitted) was referred without the making of a finding of guilt, upon receiving notice that an outcome plan has been satisfactorily completed, dismiss the charge (s 57(2) YOA), or otherwise make an order releasing the child on condition that the child complied with an outcome plan: s 33(1)(c1) CCPA.

[11-3180] Youth Koori Court

Last reviewed: May 2023

Children’s Court Practice Note 11 sets out the relevant processes regarding the Youth Koori Court (“YKC”). A referral to the YKC can only be made on the application of the young person. When the young person has entered a plea of guilty the presiding judicial officer will refer the case to the YKC if satisfied that the eligibility criteria are met.

To be referred to the YKC a young person must:

  • have indicated that he or she will plead guilty to the offence or the offence has been proven following a hearing;

  • be descended from an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander, identify as an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander and must be accepted as such by the relevant community;

  • be charged with an offence within the jurisdiction of the Children’s Court that is to be determined summarily;

  • at a minimum, be highly likely to be sentenced to an order which would involve Youth Justice supervision;

  • be 10 to 17 years of age, at the time of the commission of the offence(s) and under 19 years of age when proceedings commenced; and

  • be willing to participate.

Judgments on YKC are located at [9-1380]ff. See Youth Koori Court [15-1000]ff for further information.

[11-3200] Apprehended violence orders

Last reviewed: May 2023

The Children’s Court is authorised to deal with such cases where the defendant is less than 18 years of age at the time the complaint is made: s 91(1) Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007.

Special provisions apply to amend the meaning of domestic relationship as it applied to a young person and a paid carer: ss 5A and 5.

Section 41(4) provides that a child should not be required to give evidence in any manner about a matter unless the court is of the opinion that it is in the interests of justice for the child to do so. Also see s 41AA.

See Children’s Court Practice Note 8, which sets out Children’s Court procedures in cases where apprehended domestic violence or personal violence order proceedings have been commenced against a young person.

Judgments on apprehended violence orders are located at [9-1060]ff. See Apprehended violence orders [13-1000]ff for further information.

[11-3220] Fines and compensation

Last reviewed: May 2023

A court should not impose a fine which a person cannot pay: Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81. The amount of the fine is relevant to the sentence imposed: Tapper v R (1992) 64 A Crim R 281.

Section 36(3) of the CCPA provides:

(3)

The maximum amount of compensation that may be awarded is:

(a) 

the amount that is equivalent to 10 penalty units $2200.00 (in the case of a person who is under the age of 16 years at the time the order is made), or

(b) 

the amount that is equivalent to 20 penalty units (in any other case).

[11-3240] Parole

Last reviewed: May 2023

Part 4C of the CDCA confers jurisdiction on the Children’s Court to determine parole for young offenders: s 41(1). Parole determinations can be made by the President of the Children’s Court or a specialist Children’s Court Magistrate. If a child pleads or is found guilty on parole, the matter should be referred to the parole clerk at Parramatta Children’s Court.

Judgments on youth parole are located at [9-1360]ff.

[11-3260] Compulsory schooling orders

Last reviewed: May 2023

Where a child’s school attendance is not satisfactory the Secretary of the Department of Education may apply to the Children’s Court for an order under s 22D of the Education Act 1990. The Children’s Court may direct a parent and/or child to attend a compulsory conference per s 22C of the Act.

See Compulsory schooling orders at [14-1000]ff for further information.