Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697632688501.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CHILD JUSTICE ACT 2015 No.

23 of 2015 [Published in the Official Gazette Vol.

XXXVI No.18 dated 17th March, 2016] ________ Printed at the Government Printing Office, Antigua and Barbuda, by Ralph George, Government Printer — By Authority, 2016.

600—4.16 [Price $22.20] Child Justice Act 2015.

2 No.

23 of 2015 No.

23 of 2015 3 Children Justice Act 2015.

CHILD JUSTICE ACT 2015 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Clause PART I Preliminary 1.

Short title and commencement 2.

Interpretation 3.


Principles to be applied when dealing with children 4.

Application of Act 5.

Criminal responsibility PART II Application and Criminal Responsibility PART III Establishment of Child Justice Board 6.

Establishment of Child Justice Board 7.

Procedure in relation to Board 8.

Power of the Board PART IV Establishment of Assessment facilities and Secure Residential Facilities 9.

Assessment facilities 10.


Secure residential facility PART V Methods of Securing Attendance of Child at Initial Inquiry 11.

Method of securing attendance of child 12.

Apprehension 13.

Summons 14.

Written instruction Child Justice Act 2015.

4 No.

23 of 2015 15.

Uncertainty as to age of child 16.

Release of child into care of parent or appropriate adult before initial inquiry 17.

A Magistrate may authorise the release of child 18.
Duty of police officer and person into whose care the child is released 19.

Prescription for Bail 20.

Child accused of certain offences not to be released from detention 21.

Detention in safe house in lieu of detention in police custody 22.

Duty of police officer in respect of child 23.

Register of children in detention in police cell PART VI Assessment of Child 24.

Duty of social worker to assess child 25.

Place where assessment is to be conducted 26.

Persons to attend assessment 27.


Powers and duties of social worker prior to assessment 28.

Powers and duties of social worker at assessment PART VII Initial inquiry 29.

Nature and objectives of initial inquiry 30.

Persons to attend initial inquiry 31.

Procedure relating to initial inquiry 32.

Powers and duties of the Board with respect to initial inquiry 33.

Failure to appear at initial inquiry 34.

Release of child into care of parent or appropriate adult at initial inquiry and on bail 35.
Detention of child after first appearance before the Board 36.

Postponement of initial inquiry 37.

Detailed assessment 38.

Decision regarding diversion 39.

Failure to comply with diversion order 40.

Referral of matter to Director of Social Services 41.

Procedure upon referral of matter for plea and trial PART VIII Diversion 42.

Purposes of diversion 43.

Child to be considered for diversion under certain circumstances No.

23 of 2015 5 Children Justice Act 2015.

44.


Minimum standards applicable to diversion and diversion options 45.

Development of diversion options 46.

Diversion options 47.

Family group conference PART IX Courts Proceedings 48.

Conduct of proceedings relating to child in Court 49.

Admissibility of Confessions and Admissions 50.

Child in detention at Court 51.

Presumption of Age of Child 52.

Establishment of criminal capacity for purposes of trial 53.

Transfer where person is not a child 54.


Choice of Mode of Trial 55.

Separation and joinder of trials involving child and adult 56.

Time limits relating to conclusion of trials 57.

Court may divert matter 58.

Privacy and confidentiality for children in court PART X Sentencing of Child 59.

Child to be sentenced in accordance with this Part 60.

Pre-sentence reports 61.

Purposes of sentencing 62.

Community based sentences 63.

Role of Supervision 64.

Summons to inquire of fit person 65.


Family Group Conference for sentencing 66.

Sentences involving correctional supervision 67.

Sentence with residential requirement 68.

Referral to secure residential facility 69.

Referral to prison 70.

Postponement or suspension of passing sentence 71.

Penalty in lieu of fine or imprisonment 72.

Prohibition on certain forms of punishment Child Justice Act 2015.

6 No.

23 of 2015 PART XI LEGAL REPRESENTATION 73.

Child to be provided with legal representation 74.


Requirements to be complied with by attorney–at-law PART XII Records of Conviction and Sentence 75.

Expunging of records PART XIII Miscellaneous – Evidence and Procedure, Child Advocate 76.

Monitoring of Child Justice 77.

Presence of Child in Court 78.

Child Witnesses and the Oath 79.

Rights and Powers of Fit persons 80.

Transfer of care 81.

Escape from fit persons 82.

Contribution Order 83.

Form for Contribution Order 84.


Appointment of Child Advocate 85.

Role and function of Child Advocate PART XIV Offences and Penalties 86.

Obstruction of Police Officers etc No.

23 of 2015 7 Children Justice Act 2015.

PART XV Regulations and Repeal 87.

Regulations 88.

Repeal SCHEDULE I SCHEDULE II SCHEDULE III SCHEDULE IV Child Justice Act 2015.

[L.S.]

8 No.

23 of 2015 I Assent, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CHILD JUSTICE ACT 2015 No.

23 of 2015 Rodney Williams, Governor-General.

4th March, 2016.
AN ACT to establish a criminal justice process for children accused of committing offences based on restorative justice and which aims at protecting the rights of children; to provide for the minimum age of criminal capacity of such children; to institute diversion of cases away from formal court procedures; to establish assessment of children and an initial inquiry as compulsory procedures; to extend the sentencing options available in respect of children; to consolidate the laws on the administration of justice for children; and for connected purposes.
ENACTED by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.

PART I Preliminary 1.

Short title and commencement This Act may be cited as the Child Justice Act 2015 and shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by the Minister by Order published in the Gazette.

2.

Interpretation In this Act - No.

23 of 2015 9 Children Justice Act 2015.
“acknowledges responsibility” means admission of responsibility for an offence by a child without a formal admission of guilt; “appropriate adult” includes any adult member of the family of the child or a custodian of the child but excludes a parent of the child; “assessment” means the assessment of a child by a social worker pursuant to Part VI; “Assessment facility” means to any facility established by the Minister for the use by a Social Worker the assessment of a child in conflict with the law pending an initial inquiry or a place or facility certified by the Minister as fit for the temporary reception of a child for assessment by a Social Worker pending an initial inquiry.
“Attorney General” means the Attorney General of the Antigua and Barbuda; “attorney-at-law” means an a person whose name has been entered on the Roll of Attorneys- at-Law maintained by the Registrar pursuant to section 13 of the Legal Profession Act, 2008.
“Board” means the Child Justice Board established pursuant to section 6; “child” means a person under the age of eighteen years; “child in conflict with the law” means a child who is alleged to have committed an offence; “Commissioner of Police” means the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force; “community service” means work for a community organisation or other work of value to the community performed by a child without payment; “compulsory school attendance order” means an order requiring a child to attend school every day for a specified period of time, which attendance is to be monitored by a specified person; “Court” means a Court of competent jurisdiction; “designated prosecutor” means a person authorised by the Director of Public Prosecutions to act on his behalf; “detention” includes confinement in a police cell, lockup, safe house, or other residential facility; “diversion” means the diversion of a child away from formal court procedures to the informal procedures established pursuant to Part VIII; Child Justice Act 2015.
10 No.
23 of 2015 “diversion option” means an option as stated in section 46, as set out in three levels with level one comprising the least onerous option and level three the most onerous option; “family group conference” means a meeting designated by the Board or a court either for the purposes of coming to an agreement for a plan of action suitable for diversion of a child or for sentencing a child in accordance with the objectives of this Act and pursuant to section 47; “family time order” means an order requiring a child to spend a specified number of hours with his family; “good behaviour order” means an order requiring a child to abide by an agreement made between the child and his family to comply with certain standards of behaviour; Government” means the Government of the Antigua and Barbuda; “initial inquiry” means a procedure by the Board referred to in Part VII which takes place after an assessment and before trial by a court and which is taken to determine the suitability of the child for diversion.
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for social services; “parent” includes: (a) a biological or adoptive parent who has the parental responsibility of the child ; (b) a person who has stood in loco parentis to a child for a period of not less than one year and who has a continuing relationship with the child ; or (c) a legal guardian of the child who has custody or guardianship rights in relation to the child ; but does not include a person acting as a caregiver on behalf of the social welfare authorities in the State; “ safe house” means any place or institution, not being a police cell, lock-up or a prison, whereby the person in charge is willing to receive and take care temporarily of a child in conflict with the law and which, in the opinion of the Board, may provide refuge and safety for a child; “social worker” means a qualified person working with Government Ministry responsible for the care, protection and welfare of children in Antigua and Barbuda and whose responsibilities includes investigating report of child neglect, abuse and exploitation; “police officer” has the meaning assigned to it in the Police Act Chap 330; No.
23 of 2015 11 Children Justice Act 2015.
“prescribed” means prescribed by the Regulations; “positive peer association order” means (a) an order requiring a child to associate with a person whom the social worker or probation officer has reason to believe can contribute to the positive behaviour of the child or; (b) an order requiring a child not to associate with persons who are known to be users of alcohol and illicit drugs ; “probation officer” means an officer appointed as such by the Public Services Commission; “residential requirement’ means compulsory residence in a secure residential facility or a place other than the home of the child; “restorative justice” means the promotion of reconciliation, restitution and responsibility through the involvement of a child, the parents of a child, the members of family of the child, the victim and the community; “secure residential facility” means any residential facility established by the Minister and designated to receive sentenced children; “supervision and guidance order” include an order pursuant to the Probation of Offenders Act, Cap.
345 and any other Order placing a child under the supervisions and guidance of a mentor or peer in order to guide the behaviour of the child; “symbolic restitution” means the giving of an object owned, made or bought by a child to a person, or group of persons or an institution as symbolic compensation for the harm caused by the child; “State” means Antigua and Barbuda; 3.
Principles to be applied when dealing with children (1) The Court or a person performing any function pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be guided by the following principles- (a) a child shall as far as possible be given an opportunity to respond before any decision is taken which affects the child; Child Justice Act 2015.

(b) 12 No.
23 of 2015 a child shall be addressed in a manner appropriate to his age and intellectual development; (c) a child shall be treated in a manner which takes into account his beliefs; (d) (e) (f) all procedures to be carried out pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be conducted and completed in a speedy manner; parents and families shall have the right to assist their children who are involved in proceedings pursuant to this Act and, wherever possible, to participate in decisions affecting their children ; all consequences arising from the commission of an offence by a child shall be proportionate to the circumstances of the child, the nature of the offence, the interests of society, and the age and development of the child ; (g) a child lacking in family support, educational or employment opportunities shall have equal access to available services,.
(2) A Magistrate presiding in the Juvenile Court or the members appointed to the Board pursuant to section 6, shall consider the following principles when making a decision regarding the release of a child in detention- (a) (b) preference shall be given to the release of the child into the care of his parent or an appropriate adult, with or without the imposition of conditions; if the child must be detained as a measure of last resort, the least restrictive form of detention appropriate to the child and the offence shall be selected.
(3) A child who is in detention in police custody- (a) shall be detained separately from adults; (b) shall be detained in conditions which will reduce the risk of harm to that child, including the risk of harm caused by other children; (c) shall be detained with children of the same sex; (d) shall have the right to - (i) adequate food and water; (ii) medical treatment; No.
23 of 2015 (iii) 13 reasonable visits by parents, guardians, an attorney-at-law, registered social workers, probation officers, health workers and religious counsellors; Children Justice Act 2015.

(iv) access to reading material; (v) adequate exercise; and (vi) adequate clothing.

PART II APPLICATION AND CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY 4.
Application of Act (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act shall apply to- (a) (b) any person in Antigua and Barbuda, irrespective of nationality, country of origin or immigration status, who is alleged to have committed an offence and who, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, was under the age of eighteen years; and a person referred to in paragraph (a) who attained the age of eighteen years before proceedings instituted against him or her pursuant to the provisions of this Act have been concluded.
(2) Where, in relation to subsection (1) this Act provides for procedures different to those laid down under the Criminal Procedure Act, the provisions of this Act shall apply.

(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions may, under exceptional circumstances, direct that the provisions of this Act shall apply to a person who is alleged to have committed an offence and who, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence, was over the age of eighteen years but under the age of twenty one years.
(4) The circumstances contemplated pursuant to subsection (3) shall include those where- (a) there are several co-accused and the majority of them are under the age of eighteen; or (b) a person commits a further offence while serving a residential sentence imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Act and after having reached the age of eighteen years.

Child Justice Act 2015.

14 No.

23 of 2015 5.


Criminal Responsibility It shall be conclusively presumed that a child of eight years and under is not capable of committing a criminal offence and no child of eight years and under shall be prosecuted.

PART III Establishment of Child Justice Board 6.


Establishment of Child Justice Board (1) There is hereby established a Child Justice Board which shall have the powers conferred on it pursuant to the provisions of this Act and shall be responsible for exercising the powers so conferred and discharging the duties prescribed for the Board under this Act.
(2) The Board shall consists of the following members appointed by the Minister as follows- (a) a Magistrate; (b) two social workers; and (c) a member of the clergy (3) Prior to the appointment of a Magistrate pursuant to subsection (2) the Magistrate shall receive such training in child psychology or child welfare as the Minister may deem necessary for the Magistrate to carry out his duties effectively pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
(4) A social worker appointed pursuant to subsection (2) shall be a person who is or was actively involved in health, education or welfare activities pertaining to children for a period of not less than five years.

(5) The member of the clergy appointed to subsection (2) must have been trained in counselling and child Psychology.

(6) The term of office of a member of the Board and other matters of appointment including resignation shall be prescribed by the Minister.
(7) The appointment of a member of the Board shall be terminated by the Minister where- (a) the member is found guilty of misuse of power vested in him pursuant to the provisions of this Act; No.

23 of 2015 15 Children Justice Act 2015.


(b) the member has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude, and such conviction has not been reversed or the member has not been granted full pardon in respect of such offence; the member fails to attend the proceedings of the Board for three consecutive (c) months without any valid reason.

7.
7.

Procedure in relation to Board (1) The Board shall meet at such times and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of any business at its meetings as may be prescribed by the Board.

(2) A Quorum of the Board is constituted by the Magistrate and one other member of the Board, and no order made by the Board shall be invalid by reason only of the absence of any member during any stage of any proceedings before the Board.
(3) In the event of any difference of opinion among members of the Board in the interim or final disposition, the opinion of the majority shall prevail, but where there is no such majority, the opinion of the Magistrate shall prevail.

8.
8.

Power of the Board (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force but save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the Board shall have the power to deal exclusively with all initial inquiries pursuant to Part VII relating to a child in conflict with the law.

PART IV Establishment of Assessment facilities and Secure Residential Facilities 9.
Assessment facilities (1) The Minister shall make provision for the establishment of assessment facilities for the temporary reception of any child in conflict with the law of an initial inquiry regarding the child pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

(2) An assessment facility under subsection (1) may be established pursuant to an agreement with a voluntary organisation and arrangements shall be made by the Minister for the maintenance of such a facility.
(3) Where the Minister is of the opinion that any institution other than an assessment facility established pursuant to subsection (1), is fit for the temporary reception of a child in conflict with Child Justice Act 2015.

16 No.

23 of 2015 the law pending an initial inquiry regarding the child pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the Minister shall certify such institution as an assessment facility for the purposes of this Act.
(4) An office in the Department of Social Services shall be automatically deemed an assessment facility.

(5) The Minister may make rules to provide for the management of assessment facilities, including1 the standards to be applied to the child and the circumstances under which, and the manner in which the certification of an assessment facility may be granted or withdrawn.
(6) A child in conflict with the law shall be sent to an assessment facility for the purpose of permitting a social worker or probation officer to observe and assess the child taking into account his age and the seriousness of the offence he is alleged to have committed.
10 Secure residential facility (1) The Minister shall establish and maintain, either by his Ministry or pursuant to an agreement with a voluntary organisation, a secure residential facility as may be required for the reception and rehabilitation of a child who has been sentenced in accordance with this Act.
(2) Where the Minister is of the opinion that any institution other than a secure residential facility established pursuant to subsection (1), is fit for the reception of a child who has been sentenced in accordance with this Act, the Minister may certify such institution as a secure residential facility.
(3) The Minister may make rules to provide for the management of a secure residential facility, including the standards and various types of services to be provided by the secure residential facility which are necessary for the rehabilitation, re-socialisation and social integration of a child.
(4) The rules made pursuant to subsection (3) may also provide for the management, classification and separation of a child in conflict with the law on the basis of age and the nature of the offence committed by the child and his physical and mental status.

PART V No.

23 of 2015 17 Children Justice Act 2015.

11.
Method of securing attendance of child (1) Where any police officer reasonably believes that a child has committed an offence, the police officer may use the following methods for securing the attendance of the child at an initial inquiry before the Board - (a) apprehension (b) summons; or (c) a written instruction, Provided that the child may not be brought before the Board for an initial inquiry until the police officer of the Youth Intervention Unit of the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force has made provision for the child to be assessed by a social worker in accordance with this Act.
12.

Apprehension (1) Unless there are compelling reasons justifying an arrest, a juvenile shall not be arrested for an offence as stated in Schedule I.

(2) A warrant of apprehension as prescribed under this Act shall direct that the child be brought to appear at an initial inquiry before the Board.

(3) The police officer apprehending a child shall notify immediately the parent of the child or an appropriate adult of the apprehension.
(4) After notifying the parent of the child or an appropriate adult of the apprehension of the child in conflict with the law, the police officer who apprehended the child shall, in the presence of the parent or appropriate adult (a) inform the child of the nature of the allegation against him or her; (b) inform the child of his rights in the prescribed manner; and (c) explain to the child the immediate procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of this Act; (5) The Commissioner of Police shall issue directives with respect to the procedures to be followed when notifying the parent of a child or an appropriate adult pursuant to subsection (3).
Child Justice Act 2015.

18 No.

23 of 2015 (6) The police officer who apprehended the child, or any other police officer shall, not later than twenty four hours after the apprehension, inform a social worker of the apprehension in the prescribed manner.
(7) A child who has been apprehended shall be taken by a police officer to appear at an initial inquiry within forty eight hours after the apprehension or, if the forty eight hours have expired outside the normal hours of sitting of the Board or, on a day when the Board is not sitting, no later than the end of the first day when the Board resumes hearing after the expiry of the forty eight hours.

(8) Subsection (6) applies even where there has been a failure to assess a child as required under section 24.
(9) If the police officer is unable to inform the social worker of the apprehension pursuant to subsection (6), he shall submit a written report to the Board at the initial inquiry in the prescribed manner giving reasons for the non-compliance.
(10) Where a child who is accused of an offence referred to in Schedule I, has not been released from detention in police custody before appearing at an initial inquiry, the police officer who apprehended the child shall provide the Board with a written report giving the reasons why the child could not be released from detention.
(11) A police officer shall not apprehend a child of twelve years or under who is alleged to have committed an offence but may remove the child to a safe house if he has reason to believe that it is necessary to do so for the safety of the child.

13.

Summons (1) A summons issued in respect of a child shall specify the place, date and time of the initial inquiry.

(2) A copy of the summons served on the child shall be served on a parent of the child or an appropriate adult.
(3) A police officer shall- (a) (b) not later than twenty four hours after the service of the summons inform a social worker of the serving of the summons; as soon as is reasonably possible, but prior to the commencement of the initial inquiry, explain the following to the child- (i) the nature of the allegation against him ; No.

23 of 2015 19 Children Justice Act 2015.


(ii) the rights of the child in the prescribed manner; and (iii) the immediate procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of this Act or any other relevant Act.

14.

Written instruction (1) A police officer who reasonably believes that a child has committed an offence may instruct that child to appear at an inquiry at a specified time on a specified date and to remain in attendance at the proceedings relating to the offence in question.
(2) A police officer who instructs a child pursuant to subsection (1) shall instruct the parent of the child or an appropriate adult to bring the child or cause the child to be brought to appear at the initial inquiry and to have the child remain in attendance at the initial inquiry relating to the offence in question.
(3) A police officer who instructs a child pursuant to subsection (1) shall complete and hand to the child and to the parent of the child or an appropriate adult, as the case may be, a written notice on which shall be entered the offence in respect of which the initial inquiry will be conducted and the time and place at which the child shall appear.
(4) Pursuant to subsection (3), the police officer shall- (a) when he hands the written notice to the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult as the case may be- (i) (ii) (iii) inform the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult of the nature of the allegation against the child; inform the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult of the rights of the child in the prescribed manner; and explain to the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult the immediate procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of the Act; and (b) not later than twenty four hours after handing the notice to the child, inform a social worker of this fact.
15.

Uncertainty as to age of child (1) If a police officer is uncertain as to the age of a person suspected of having committed an offence but has reason to believe that the age would render that person a child, the police officer Child Justice Act 2015.

20 No.

23 of 2015 shall treat the person as a child for the purposes of this Part, subject to the estimation of the age of the person at the initial inquiry.

16.
Release of child into care of parent or appropriate adult before initial inquiry (1) A police officer shall release a child who is in detention in police custody and who is accused of an offence stated in Schedule I, into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult before the child appears at the initial inquiry unless- (a) exceptional circumstances as may be prescribed warrant detention; (b) the parent of the child or an appropriate adult cannot be located or is not available and all reasonable efforts have been made to locate the parent or appropriate adult; or (c) there is a substantial risk that the child may be a danger to any other person or to himself.
(2) A police officer may, in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor, release a child who- (a) is in detention in police custody and who is accused of an offence referred to in Schedule II; or (b) is accused of an offence referred to in Schedule I but has not been released pursuant to subsection (1); into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult on any one or more conditions referred to in subsection (3).
(3) A child may be released pursuant to subsection (2) on condition that the child- (a) appears at a specified place and time for assessment; (b) does not interfere with a witness, tamper with evidence or associate with a person or group of specified people; and (c) resides at a particular address.

17.

A Magistrate may authorise the release of the child A Magistrate may- No.

23 of 2015 21 Children Justice Act 2015.


(a) notwithstanding the decision of a police officer to the contrary under section 16, authorise the release of a child from detention in police custody into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult upon any of the conditions referred to in that section, and if such release is authorised, the written notice referred to in section 18, shall be handed to the child and to the person into whose care the child is released.
(b) in consultation with the police officer charged with an investigation with respect to a child pursuant to the provisions of this Act, authorise the release of a child accused of an offence referred to in Schedule II on bail prior to the appearance of the child at an initial inquiry, subject to reasonable conditions if the release of the child into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult is deemed appropriate.

18.
Duty of police officer and person into whose care the child is released A police officer who releases a child from detention in accordance with section 16 or who releases a child upon the order of a Magistrate in accordance with section 17, and places the child into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult, shall at the time of release of the child, complete and hand to the child and to the person into whose care the child is released, a written notice in the prescribed form on which shall be entered the offence in respect of which the child is being accused, any conditions relating to the release of the child, warning him that he must comply with the written notice, and the place, date and time at which the child shall appear for the initial inquiry; 19.
Prescription for Bail The Commissioner of Police may, after consultations with the Attorney General, issue directives regarding the amounts that may be set for bail for the release of children pursuant to this Act.

20.

Child accused of certain offences not to be released from detention Subject to sections 22 and 34, a police officer shall not release a child accused of an offence referred to in Schedule III or of murder or treason from detention in police custody.

21.
21.

Detention in safe house in lieu of detention in police custody If a child cannot for any reason be released into the care of his parent or an appropriate adult, the child shall, in lieu of detention in police custody, be detained in a safe house.

22.

Duty of police officer in respect of child Child Justice Act 2015.

22 No.
22 No.

23 of 2015 (1) Where a child in detention in police custody complains of an injury sustained during apprehension or whilst in detention, the police officer to whom such complaint is made shall report the complaint to the police officer in charge of the police station where the child is detained, and the police officer in charge shall delegate a police officer to take the child to a medical doctor for examination as soon as is reasonably possible.
(2) The report of the medical doctor shall be included in the appropriate police docket.

23.

Register of children in detention in police cell (1) The police officer in charge of a police station shall keep a separate register of all-children detained at that station specifying such details in the register prescribed by the Commissioner of Police.

(2) he register may be examined by such persons as may be prescribed.

PART VI Assessment of Child 24.


Duty of social worker to assess child (1) A social worker who receives notification from a police officer that a child has been apprehended, served with a summons, or issued with a written notice shall assess the child before he appears at the initial inquiry relating to the child.

(2) The police officer who issued the notice under subsection (1) or any police officer so designated by the Commissioner of Police may participate in the assessment under subsection (1).

25.
25.

Place where assessment is to be conducted (1) The assessment of a child shall take place in any assessment facility pursuant to section 9.

(2) The place identified pursuant to subsection (1) shall be conducive to privacy.

26.

Persons to attend assessment (1) A child shall be present at his assessment.

(2) Subject to section 27 (3), a parent of the child or an appropriate adult shall attend the assessment of the child.

No.

23 of 2015 23 Children Justice Act 2015.
(3) The following persons may attend the assessment of a child– (a) the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor or his nominee; (b) the attorney-at-law representing the child; (c) the police officer referred to under section 24 (2); or (d) any person whose presence the social worker or probation officer believes is necessary or desirable for the assessment, or whom the social worker or probation officer believes should attend in the best interest of the child.

27.
27.

Powers and duties of social worker prior to assessment (1) A social worker may at any time before the assessment of a child issue a notice in the prescribed form to the parent of the child or an appropriate adult to appear at the assessment.

(2) A notice issued pursuant to subsection (1) shall be delivered by a police officer upon the request of the social in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Police.
(3) A person notified pursuant to subsection (1) may apply to the social worker to be absent from the assessment, and if the social worker exempts the person from attending, such exemption shall be in writing.

(4) A person who has received notice pursuant to subsection (1) and is not exempted pursuant to subsection (3) and who fails to attend the assessment commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one month.
(5) A social worker may request the police officer to- (a) obtain any documentation required for the completion of the assessment of a child; (b) locate the parent of a child or an appropriate adult; and (c) provide transport in order to secure the attendance at the assessment of the child, and his parent or appropriate adult in accordance with any prescribed directions by the Minister.
(6) The social worker shall make every effort to locate a parent, guardian, or appropriate adult for the purposes of concluding the assessment of a child.

(7) If all reasonable efforts to locate or a parent of the child or an appropriate adult have failed, the social worker shall conduct the assessment in the absence of such persons.

Child Justice Act 2015.

24 No.

23 of 2015 28.


Powers and duties of social worker at assessment (1) A social worker shall- (a) explain to the child the purpose of the assessment; (b) inform the child of his rights in the prescribed manner; (c) (d) explain to the child the immediate procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of this Act; and inquire from the child whether he intends to acknowledge responsibility for the offence in question.
(2) The social worker shall at any stage during the assessment- (a) consult individually with any person at the assessment; (b) contact or consult any person who is not present at the assessment and who may have information relevant to an assessment and if such information is obtained, the child shall be informed of the information.

(3) Where a child is accused with another child, the social worker shall conduct the assessment of the children simultaneously.
(4) The social worker shall encourage participation of the child during the assessment process.

(5) The social worker shall complete an assessment report at the end of an assessment and shall provide recommendations with respect to- (a) the prospects of diversion; (b) (c) the possible release of the child into the care of a parent of the child or an appropriate adult, if the child is in detention; or the placement, where applicable, of the child in a particular safe house or a secure residential facility.
(6) If it appears to the social worker that the child does not intend to acknowledge responsibility for the alleged offence, this shall be indicated in the assessment report.

(7) The social worker shall submit the report referred to in subsection (6) to the Director of Public Prosecutions prior to the commencement of the initial inquiry referred to in Part VII and a copy shall be provided to the Board and to the parent or appropriate adult responsible for the child.

No.
No.

23 of 2015 25 Children Justice Act 2015.

PART VII Initial inquiry 29.

Nature and objectives of initial inquiry (1) The Board shall hold an initial inquiry in respect of a child after an assessment pursuant to this Act.

(2) The appearance of a child at an initial inquiry before the Board shall be regarded as equivalent to a first appearance before a court as contemplated pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act.
(3) The objectives of an initial inquiry are to- (a) establish whether the matter can be diverted before plea; (b) identify a suitable diversion option, where applicable; (c) (d) (e) (f) provide an opportunity for the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor to assess whether there are sufficient grounds for the matter to proceed to trial should diversion fail; ensure that all available information relevant to the child, such as his circumstances and the offence the child is alleged to have committed, is considered in order to make a decision on diversion and placement of the child; ensure that the views of all persons present are considered before a decision is taken by the Board; encourage the participation of the child and his parent or an appropriate adult in decisions concerning the child; and (g) determine the release or placement of the child pending- (i) conclusion of the initial inquiry; or (ii) appearance of the child in Court.
(4) An initial inquiry shall be held in such place as the Board may determine having regard to privacy and confidentiality.

Child Justice Act 2015.

26 No.

23 of 2015 (5) The Board shall conduct the proceedings in an informal manner by asking questions, interviewing persons at the hearing and obtaining information.

30.
Persons to attend initial inquiry (1) The following persons shall attend an initial inquiry- (a) the child; (b) the parent of the child or an appropriate adult; (c) the social worker or probation officer who conducted the assessment of the child, except where the Board gives permission for his absence; (d) the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor; (e) an Attorney-at-Law representing the child, if any; and (f) any other person as may be deemed necessary by the Board pursuant to section 32.
(2) The Board may exclude the parent of the child or an appropriate adult from attending the initial inquiry if their presence at the initial inquiry is not in the best interest of the child.

(3) An initial inquiry may proceed in the absence of the social worker who conducted the assessment of the child provided, the assessment report was made available at the initial inquiry unless assessment has been dispensed with pursuant to section 32 (2).
(4) The following persons may attend an initial inquiry- (a) a police officer; and (b) any other person the Board deems appropriate pursuant to section 32.

31.

Procedure relating to initial inquiry (1) At the commencement of an initial inquiry- (a) the Board shall determine the age of the child; (b) the Board shall - (i) explain the purposes of the initial inquiry to the child; No.

23 of 2015 27 Children Justice Act 2015.


(ii) inform the child of the nature of the allegation against him or her; (iii) inform the child of his rights; (iv) explain to the child the immediate procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

(2) The Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor shall ensure that the Board has a copy of the assessment report prepared pursuant to section 28 (5), if available.
(3) A person attending an initial inquiry may submit to the Board information regarding a previous diversion or conviction of the child concerned.

(4) A child, the attorney-at-law representing the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult, the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor, shall be given an opportunity to question the social worker or probation officer who prepared the assessment report on the child or any other person giving evidence at the initial inquiry.
(5) If the child in respect of whom an initial inquiry is being conducted, is assessed together with one or more children, a joint initial inquiry may be held.

(6) Where a joint initial inquiry is held pursuant to subsection (5), different decisions may be made in respect of each child.
(7) Subject to subsection 52 (1) if a child does not acknowledge responsibility for the offence with which he is alleged to have committed no further questions regarding the offence may be put to the child and the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor may set the matter down for plea and trial in the Court.

(8) Information furnished at an initial inquiry shall not be used in subsequent proceedings against the person who furnished such information.
(9) The Board shall keep a record of all proceedings relating to an initial inquiry.

32.

Powers and duties of the Board with respect to initial inquiry (1) The Board may- (a) subpoena or cause to be subpoenaed any person whose presence is necessary for the conclusion of an initial inquiry or whose attendance is in the best interests of the child; (b) permit the attendance of any other person who may be able to contribute to the initial inquiry; Child Justice Act 2015.

28 No.
23 of 2015 (c) request any further documentation or information which may be necessary or relevant to the proceedings; (d) (e) (f) after consideration of the information contained in an assessment report, elicit any information from any person attending the initial inquiry to supplement or clarify the information in the assessment report; take such steps as may be necessary to establish the truth of any statement or the correctness of any submission; and where the conduct of the proceedings of the initial inquiry or any aspect of it is in dispute, rule on the conduct of the proceedings in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Act.
(2) If a child has not been assessed at the commencement of the initial inquiry, the Board may dispense with the assessment if it is in the best interests of the child to do so.

(3) The Board shall ensure that the child, the attorney-at-law representing the child, the parent of the child or an appropriate adult- (a) know of the recommendations in the report prepared by the social worker and (b) are informed of any diversion option and the aims and content of such option.
(4) During the initial inquiry, the Board may request the probation officer to explain, elaborate upon or justify any recommendation or statement made in the assessment report, or to provide additional information.

(5) The Board shall consider the reports regarding the apprehension of the child and the detention in police custody provided by the police officer in charge of the police station where the child was apprehended and detained.

33.
33.

Failure to appear at initial inquiry (1) A child or his parent or an appropriate adult, who has been instructed to appear at an initial inquiry by a police officer pursuant to section 14 and who fails to do so, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months.
(2) Subsection (1) shall apply with the changes required by the context and subject to section 69 and section 70 to a child who has been released in the care of his parent or an appropriate adult and who fails to comply with the direction contained in the written notice referred to in section 18 or with any condition imposed pursuant to section 16 (3).

No.

23 of 2015 29 Children Justice Act 2015.

34.


Release of child into care of parent or appropriate adult at initial inquiry and on bail (1) The Board shall release a child who is in detention, into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult if- (a) the initial inquiry is not disposed of at the first appearance of the child before the Board; and (b) it is in the interest of justice to so release the child.
(2) In considering whether or not it would be in the interest of justice to release a child into the care of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult, the Board shall have regard to any recommendations made by the social worker [probation officer] and other relevant factors, including- (a) the best interests of the child; (b) whether the child has any previous convictions; (c) the availability of the parent of the child or an appropriate adult; (d) the likelihood of the child returning to the initial inquiry for a further appearance; (e) the period for which the child has already been in detention since apprehension; (f) the probable period of detention of the child until conclusion of the initial inquiry; (g) the risk that the child may be a danger to himself or to any other person; (h) the state of health of the child; (i) the reason for any delay in the disposal or conclusion of the initial inquiry and whether such delay was due to any fault on the part of the State or on the part of the child or his attorney-at-law; (j) whether detention would prejudice the child in the preparation of his case; (k) (l) the likelihood that, if the child is found guilty of the offence he will be detained for a substantial period; the receipt of a written confirmation by the Director of Public Prosecutions that he intends to charge the child with an offence referred to in Schedule III or with murder or treason.
Child Justice Act 2015.

30 No.
23 of 2015 (3) The Board may, in releasing the child pursuant to subsection (1) impose one or more of the following conditions, namely that the child- (a) shall appear before the Board at a specified place and time; (b) shall report periodically to a specified person or place; (c) shall attend a particular school; (d) shall reside at a particular address; (e) shall be placed under the supervision of a specified person; or shall not interfere with a witness, tamper with any evidence or associate with any person or group of specified people (f) .
(4) If the Board releases the child into the care of a parent of the child or an appropriate adult, the Board shall instruct the parent or the appropriate adult, as the case may be, to bring the child to appear or ensure that the child appears at a specified time and place and, if a condition has been imposed pursuant to this section, to ensure that the child complies with such condition.
(5) A person into whose care a child is placed who fails to comply with subsection (4) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.
(6) Subject to sections 69 and 71 if a child has been released into the care of his parent or an appropriate adult and fails to comply with a condition imposed pursuant to this section the Board may direct that the child be detained in a safe house or residential facility until the conclusion of the initial inquiry.

(7) The Board may, after consideration of the facts release a child on bail subject to one or more of the conditions contemplated in subsection (2).

35.
35.

Detention of child after first appearance before the Board (1) The Board may order the detention of a child in a safe house or a secure residential facility where- (a) the proceedings of the initial inquiry are postponed pursuant to section 36 or 37; (b) the release of the child into the care of his parent or an appropriate adult is for any reason not possible; or (c) the child is to appear for plea and trial pursuant to section 41.

No.

23 of 2015 31 Children Justice Act 2015.


(2) If a safe house or a secure residential facility is not available, the child shall be detained in a police cell as long as the detention facilities at the police station are suitable for the detention of children and provide for children to be detained separately from adults.

(3) The Board shall have regard to the recommendations made by the social worker when deciding where to place the child pursuant to subsection (2).
(4) A child of fourteen years or older who is charged with an offence referred to in Schedule III or with murder or treason may be detained in a prison if the Board feels that there is a substantial risk that the child will cause harm to other children in a safe house or a secure residential facility, provided that the child is separated from adults.

(5) Where the Board makes an order that a child be detained in prison, the Board shall record the reasons for making such an order.
(6) If the Board makes an order for the detention of a child pursuant to subsection (1) ( c), the social worker shall make periodic visits to the child to ensure that the child is being properly treated and kept under suitable care.
(7) If, pursuant to subsection (6) the social worker is of the view that the child is not being properly treated and kept under suitable conditions, the social worker shall make an appropriate remedial order to the persons in charge of the facility where the child is being detained and further report the matter to the Board for it to consider making an order to remove the child from harm.

36.
Postponement of initial inquiry (1) The Board may postpone the proceedings of an initial inquiry – (a) for a period not exceeding three days for the purposes of- (i) securing the attendance of a person necessary for the conclusion of the initial inquiry; (ii) obtaining information necessary for the conclusion of the initial inquiry; (iii) establishing the attitude of the victim regarding diversion ; (iv) the planning of a diversion option; (v) finding alternatives to pre-trial residential detention; (vi) assessing the child, where no assessment has previously been undertaken and it is found that assessment may not be dispensed with; Child Justice Act 2015.
32 No.

23 of 2015 (vii) noting a confession; (viii) noting an admission; (ix) holding of an identity parade; or (x) obtaining legal presentation for the child.
(b) for a period not exceeding seven days if there are exceptional circumstances warranting a further detailed assessment of the child, and if these circumstances relate to- (i) (ii) the possibility that the child may be a danger to others or to himself or herself; the fact that the child has a history of repeatedly committing offences or abscondment; (iii) the social welfare history of the child; (iv) the possible admission of the child to a sexual offender’s programme, substance abuse programme or other intensive programme; (v) the possibility that the child may be a victim of sexual or other abuse; or (vi) the need to conclude a family group conference.
(2) If the proceedings of an initial inquiry are postponed pursuant to subsection (1)(a) (vii), (viii) (ix), the Board shall inform the child of his right to have his parent or an appropriate adult present during such proceedings.
(3) Where the initial inquiry has been postponed pursuant to subsections 1 (a) or (b), it may be further postponed for a period of forty eight hours if the postponement is likely to increase the prospects of diversion, after which if the initial inquiry is not concluded and subject to section 37, the initial inquiry shall be closed and the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor shall set the matter down for plea and trial in the Court.

37 Detailed assessment.


A detailed assessment pursuant to section 36 (1) (b) shall be conducted in the home of the child, unless this is not in the best interests of the child, or is impossible, in which case the assessment may be conducted at an assessment facility.

No.

23 of 2015 33 Children Justice Act 2015.

38.
Decision regarding diversion (1) The Board shall ascertain whether a matter before it may be diverted after consideration of the following- (a) (b) (c) any recommendations made by the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor; the assessment report unless this has been dispensed with pursuant to section 32 (2); the views of all persons present at the initial inquiry and any information provided by any such person; (d) any information requested pursuant to section 32 (1) (c); (e) the willingness of the child to acknowledge responsibility for the offence; and (f) the age of the child (2) If the Board decides that the matter may be diverted, the Board shall make an order for diversion in the prescribed manner in respect of the child concerned.
(3) In addition to the diversion options established pursuant to Part VIII, the Board may, after consultation with the persons present at the initial inquiry, develop an individual diversion option which meets the purposes of and standards applicable to diversion set out pursuant to the provisions of that Part.

39.
39.

Failure to comply with diversion order (1) If a child fails to comply with a diversion order, the Board shall, upon being notified of such failure in the prescribed manner, issue a warrant of apprehension for the child or a written notice to the child to appear before the Board.
(2) Where a child appears before the Board pursuant to subsection (1), the Board shall inquire into the reasons for the failure of the child to comply with the diversion order and unless the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor decides to proceed with the prosecution of the child concerned, the Board may, after consideration of the views of any person present at the inquiry- (a) apply the same option with altered conditions; (b) apply any other diversion option; or Child Justice Act 2015.
34 No.

23 of 2015 (c) make an appropriate order which will assist the child and his family to comply with the diversion option initially applied.

(3) If the Director of Public Prosecutions decides to proceed with the prosecution of the matter, the matter shall be set down for trial and plea in the Court and section 41 shall apply with the necessary changes required by context.

40.
40.

Referral of matter to Director of Social Services (1) If it appears during proceedings at an initial inquiry that a child is in need of care and protection pursuant to the Children (Care and Adoption) Act, and that it is desirable to deal with the child pursuant to the provisions of that Act, the Board may stop the proceedings and transfer the matter to the Director of Social Services to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Children (Care and Adoption) Act.
(2) Referral of a matter to the Director of Social Services shall be considered by the Board if a child- (a) has previously been assessed on more than one occasion with regard to minor offences committed to meet the basic need of the child for food and shelter and in the initial inquiry in question it is again alleged that the child has committed such an offence; (b) is allegedly abusing dependence-producing substances; or (c) does not live at his family home or in appropriate substitute care, and is alleged to have committed a minor offence, the purpose of which was to meet the basic needs of the child for food and shelter.
41.

Procedure upon referral of matter for plea and trial (1) If diversion has not taken place and the child has not been transferred to the Director of Social Services pursuant to section 40 upon the conclusion of the initial inquiry, the Director of Public Prosecutions, or a designated prosecutor, where he makes a decision to prosecute the child, shall inform the Board of the place, date and time when the child shall appear for plea and trial in the Court.
(2) The Board shall, if the child is not legally represented, explain to the child and the parent of the child or an appropriate adult, as the case may be, the provisions of Part XI regarding legal representation.

(3) If a child is- No.

23 of 2015 35 Children Justice Act 2015.
(a) (b) in detention, the Board shall inform the child of the place, date and time of his appearance in Court, and shall instruct the parent of the child or an appropriate adult to attend the proceedings at the specified place and time; or not in detention, the Board- (i) may alter or extend any condition imposed pursuant to section 16 (2) or section 34 (3); and (ii) shall instruct the child and his parent or an appropriate adult, as the case may be to appear in Court at a specified place, date and time.
PART VIII Diversion 42.
Purposes of diversion The purposes of diversion are to- (a) encourage the child to be accountable for the harm which he has caused; (b) meet the particular needs of the child; (c) promote the reintegration of the child into the family and the community; (d) (e) (f) (g) provide an opportunity to those affected by the harm caused by the child to express their views on its impact on them; encourage the rendering to the victim of some symbolic benefit or the delivery of some object as compensation for harm; promote the reconciliation between the child and the person or community affected by the harm caused by the child ; prevent stigmatising the child and prevent adverse consequences flowing from being subject to the criminal justice system; and (h) prevent the child from having a criminal record.
43.

Child to be considered for diversion under certain circumstances A child shall be considered for diversion by the Board if- (a) the child is between 8 years and 12 years; or Child Justice Act 2015.

36 No.

23 of 2015 (b) the penalty for the offence with which the child is charged is no more than 10 years imprisonment.
(c) the child voluntarily acknowledges responsibility for the offence; (d) the child understands his right to remain silent and has not been unduly influenced to acknowledge responsibility; (e) there is sufficient evidence to prosecute; and (f) the child and his parent or an appropriate adult, consent to the diversion and the diversion option.

44.
44.

Minimum standards applicable to diversion and diversion options (1) A child shall not be excluded from a diversion programme due to an inability to pay any fee required for such a programme.

(2) A child may be required to perform community services as an element of diversion, with due consideration to the age and development of the child.
(3) A diversion option- (a) (b) shall promote the dignity and well-being of the child, and the development of his sense of self worth and ability to contribute to society; shall not be exploitative, harmful or hazardous to the physical or mental health of the child; (c) shall be appropriate to the age and maturity of the child; and (d) shall not interfere with the schooling of the child.
(4) A diversion option presented to the Minister by a government department or a non- governmental organisation, which meets the requirements as stated pursuant to subsection (2), which has a predetermined content and duration and which involves a service to children on a regular basis may be registered by the Minister in the prescribed manner and may be considered as a diversion option by the Board.
(5) A diversion option may also be comprised of an agreement to pursue a plan of action arising out of a family group conference pursuant to section 47 of this Act.

(6) The Director of Social Services shall keep a register in the prescribed manner of all children who have been subject to diversion.

No.

23 of 2015 37 Children Justice Act 2015.

45.


Development of diversion options The Minister upon consultation with the Board and the Director of Social Services shall develop suitable diversion options as contemplated in this Part.
46 Diversion options (1) In selecting a specific diversion option for a child at an initial inquiry, the Board shall give consideration to- (a) the selection of a diversion option from an appropriate level pursuant to the provisions of this section; (b) the background of the child; (c) the educational level, cognitive ability and the general circumstances of the child; (d) the proportionality of the option recommended or selected to the circumstances of the child, the nature of the offence and the interests of society; and (e) the age and developmental needs of the child.
(2) Level one diversion options include the following- (a) an oral or written apology to a specified person or institution; (b) a formal caution in the prescribed manner with or without conditions; (c) placement under a supervision and guidance order in the prescribed manner for a period not exceeding three months; (d) placement under a reporting order in the prescribed manner; (e) (f) (g) the issue of a compulsory school attendance order in the prescribed manner for a period not exceeding three months; the issue of a positive peer association order in the prescribed manner in respect of a specified person in a specified place for a period not exceeding three months; the issue of a family time order in the prescribed manner for a period not exceeding three months; (h) the issue of a good behaviour order in the prescribed manner; Child Justice Act 2015.
38 No.
23 of 2015 (i) the issue of an order prohibiting the child from visiting, frequenting or appearing at a specified place in the prescribed manner; (j) referral to counselling or therapy for a period not exceeding three months; (k) compulsory attendance at a specified place for a specified vocational or educational purpose for a period not exceeding five hours each week, for a maximum of three months; (l) symbolic restitution to a specified person or an institution; and (m) restitution of a specified object to a specified victim of an alleged offence where the object concerned may be returned or restored.
(3) Level two diversion options include the following- (a) (b) (c) the options referred to in subsection (2) save however, that the maximum periods contemplated in that subsection shall for the purposes of this subsection be construed as six months; compulsory attendance at a place approved by the Board for a specified vocational or educational purpose for a period not exceeding eight hours each week, for a maximum of six months; performance without remuneration of some service for the benefit of the community under the supervision or control of an organisation or institution, or a specified person or group identified by the social worker or probation officer effecting the assessment, for a maximum period of fifty hours, and to be completed within a maximum period of six months; (d) provision of some service or benefit to a specified victim in an amount which the family of the child is able to afford; (e) where there is no identifiable person to whom restitution or compensation may be made, provision of some service or benefit or payment of compensation to an organisation, charity or welfare organisation for the benefit of the community.
(4) Level three diversion options shall apply only to children over the age of fourteen years in cases where the relevant law pertaining to the offence committed imposes a sentence of detention for a period exceeding three years but not exceeding ten years, and include the following- (a) referral to a programme which does not exceed one year and which has a residential element that shall not exceed sixty days in total and thirty five consecutive days during the operation of the programme No.
23 of 2015 39 Children Justice Act 2015.
(b) performance without remuneration of some service for the benefit of the community under the supervision and control of an organisation or institution, or a specified group of persons, identified by a probation officer and for a period of two hundred and fifty hours which shall be completed within one year and no more than thirty five hours per week; (c) where the child is not attending formal schooling, compulsory attendance at a specified place for a specified vocational or educational purpose for a period not exceeding one year and no more than thirty five hours per week; and (d) referral to counselling or therapeutic intervention in conjunction with any of the options listed in this subsection.
(5) Upon the selection of a diversion option, the Board or Court, as the case may be, shall select a probation officer or other suitable person to monitor the compliance of the child of the selected diversion option and in the event of a child failing to comply with any condition of the diversion option, the social worker [probation officer] or specified person shall notify the Board or the Court of such failure.

47.
Family group conference (1) If a child has been referred to appear at a family group conference whether by the Board or the Court, a social worker or probation officer shall be appointed by the Board or Court, as the case may be, to conduct the family group conference and he shall within fourteen days, after such appointment, convene the family group conference by setting the time and place for such conference, and taking all necessary steps to ensure that all persons who may attend the conference are adequately notified of the time and place of the conference.
(2) The following persons shall attend a family group conference- (a) the child and his parent or an appropriate adult; (b) any person requested by the child and deemed appropriate by the Board or the Court; (c) the probation officer; (d) a police officer; (e) the victim of the offence which the child admitted and if the victim is under the age of eighteen years, his parent or an appropriate adult; (f) the attorney-at-law representing the child if applicable; Child Justice Act 2015.

40 No.
40 No.

23 of 2015 (g) a member of the community in which the child resides; and (h) any person authorised by the probation officer to attend the family group conference.

(3) The participants in a family group conference shall follow the procedure agreed upon by them and may agree to a plan in respect of the child pursuant to subsections (4) and (5) as they deem fit.
(4) A plan contemplated pursuant to subsection (3)– (a) may include- (i) the application of any option contained in section 46 (2) or (5); or (ii) any other plan appropriate to the child, his family and their circumstances; provided that such plan shall be consistent with the principles contained in this Act; and (b) shall– (i) (ii) specify the objectives for the child and the period within which they are to be achieved; contain the details of the services and the assistance to be provided for the child and for his parent or an appropriate adult; (iii) specify the persons or organisations to provide such services; (iv) state the responsibility of the child and the parents of the child or an appropriate adult; and (v) include such other matters relating to the education, recreation and welfare of the child as are relevant.
(6) The probation officer shall record the details of and reasons for any plan agreed to at the family group conference and shall furnish a copy of the record to the Board or Court as the case may be.

(7) Where a child fails to comply with any condition of the plan agreed to in a family group conference, the social worker or probation officer shall notify the Board or the Court, as the case may be, in writing of such failure, and section 39 shall apply.

No.

23 of 2015 41 Children Justice Act 2015.


(8) If the participants of a family group conference fail to agree on a plan, the social worker or probation officer shall close the family group conference and refer the matter back to the Board for consideration of another diversion option.

(9) The proceedings of a family group conference shall be confidential and no statement made by a participant in the family law conference may be used as evidence in any subsequent court proceedings.
PART IX Court Proceedings 48.
Conduct of proceedings relating to child in Court (1) At the commencement of proceedings against a child in any court, the Judge or Magistrate, as the case may be, shall in the prescribed manner- (a) inform the child of the nature of the allegations against him or her; (b) inform the child of his rights; and (c) explain to the child the further procedures to be followed pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the Criminal Procedure Act or other Act relating to criminal trial procedures where not expressly overruled by this Act.
(2) The proceedings in the Court shall, with due regard to the procedural rights of the child, be conducted in an informal manner in order to encourage maximum participation by the child and his parents or an appropriate adult.

(3) The Judge or Magistrate shall protect a child from hostile cross examination where such cross examination is prejudicial to the well-being of the child or to the fairness of the proceedings.

49.
49.

Admissibility of Confessions and Admissions (1) Evidence obtained as a result of a confession, or an admission that is admissible pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act shall only be admissible as evidence in a court hearing a matter against a child if the parent of the child, or an appropriate adult, or the attorney- at-law representing the child is present.

(2) Subsection (1) shall also apply in cases where an identity parade has taken place.
(3) If a child refuses to have his parent or an appropriate adult present at the procedures contemplated pursuant to subsection (1) and (2), or where a parent or an appropriate adult is not Child Justice Act 2015.

42 No.

23 of 2015 present or cannot be traced and a legal representative is not available, the police officer in charge of the investigation relating to the child, shall request a person to act as an independent observer and such independent observer shall be present at the procedure.

50.
50.

Child in detention at Court (1) A child shall not be subjected to the wearing of leg irons when appearing in any court, and handcuffs may only be used where there are exceptional circumstances warranting their use.

(2) A child held in a cell at any court shall be kept separate from adults and shall be treated in a manner and kept in conditions which take into account the age of the child.

(3) A female child shall be kept separate from a male child when in the custody of any court.
(4) Where a child is transported to and from any court he shall, be transported separately from adults.

(5) The Commissioner of Police shall issue directives for the treatment and conditions of children while in detention at any court in accordance with this Act.

51.
Presumption of Age of Child (1) Where a person is charged under this Act and it appears to the Court that that person is a child, or was a child at the date of the commission of the alleged offence, the Court shall make due enquiry and a determination as to the age of that person and shall take evidence as may be forthcoming for such purposes; (2) The person referred to under subsection (1) shall be presumed to be a child, or to have been a child at the time of the commission of the alleged offence unless the contrary is proved.
52.

Establishment of criminal capacity for purposes of trial (1) For the purposes of a criminal trial, the criminal capacity of a child over the age of eight years but under the age of fourteen years shall be proved by the State beyond reasonable doubt and the Court shall hold an evaluation prior to the hearing of evidence for such purpose.
(2) For the purposes of the evaluation under subsection (1) the Court may order a suitably qualified person to evaluate the child and the evaluation shall be conducted at the expense of the State.

(3) If an order has been made by the Court pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3), the person identified to conduct an evaluation of the juvenile shall furnish the Court with a written report of the evaluation within seven days of the date of the order.

No.

23 of 2015 43 Children Justice Act 2015.


(4) The evaluation shall include an assessment of the cognitive, emotional, psychological and social development of the child.

(5) Where it is ruled that the child has the necessary capacity for the purposes of undergoing a criminal trial, a certificate shall be issued by the Court to that effect.

53.
53.

Transfer where person is not a child On the hearing of a charge against a person deemed to be a child pursuant to section 51, the Court shall, if it is discovered that the person in question is not a child, or was not a child at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, transfer the matter for trial as an adult, to the Magistrate Court, or Supreme Court as the case may be.

54.
54.

Choice of Mode of Trial (1) If a child is charged before the Court with an offence other than murder or treason, and where the child charged is under fourteen years, the Magistrate shall make a determination whether to try the offence summarily under his jurisdiction or whether it is appropriate for the matter to be transferred to the Supreme Court to be tried on indictment.
(2) Where the Magistrate decides that the matter shall be tried by indictment, the Magistrate shall transfer the matter to the Supreme Court and it shall be dealt with according to the rules of the Supreme Court, except where this Act makes special provision for the rules contained herein to apply.

55.
55.

Separation and joinder of trials involving child and adult (1) Where a child and an adult are alleged to have committed the same offence, they are to be tried separately unless it is in the interest of justice to join the trials.
(2) An application for such joinder shall be made to the Magistrate of the court of trial and where the application for joinder of trials is granted, the matter shall be transferred to the court in which the adult is being tried and the child shall appear after notice is given to him or her in the prescribed manner; - provided that a matter may only be heard in the Supreme Court pursuant to subsection (2) if the offence for which the trial is being held is murder or treason.
(3) The court where the matter joined pursuant to subsection (2) is being heard shall afford the child concerned all such benefits relating to trial conferred upon the child pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

Child Justice Act 2015.

44 No.

23 of 2015 56.

Time limits relating to conclusion of trials (1) The Court shall conclude the trial of an accused child as speedily as possible and shall ensure that postponements are limited in number and duration.
(2) Sections 34 and 37, shall apply to the Court, with the necessary changes required by context where the child appearing in the Court for the first time is in detention.
(3) Where a child remains in detention in a safe house, or a secure residential facility or a prison, and the trial of the child is not concluded within six months from the date upon which the child has pleaded to the charge, the child shall be released from detention, unless he is charged with an offence listed under item 2 or 3 of Schedule III, or with murder or treason.

57.
57.

Court may divert matter (1) If at any time before the conclusion of a case for the prosecution it comes to the attention of the Court that a child acknowledges or intends to acknowledge responsibility for an alleged offence, the Court may make an order for diversion in respect of the child if the Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor indicates that the matter may be diverted.

(2) Part VIII shall apply with the changes required by context if the Court makes an order for diversion.
(3) Where the Court makes an order for diversion, it shall postpone the proceedings of the Court pending the compliance of the child with the diversion order.

(4) The Court shall, upon receipt of a report from a social worker or probation officer that a child has successfully complied with an order for diversion, acquit the child of all charges in question.

(5) An acquittal of the child may be made in the absence of the child.
(6) If a child fails to comply with an order relating to diversion, section 39 shall apply with the necessary changes required by the context.

58.

Privacy and confidentiality for children in court (1) A person shall not be present at a sitting of the Court in a matter relating to a child unless the presence of the person is necessary in connection with the proceedings of the Court or unless the judge has granted the person permission to be present.

No.

23 of 2015 45 Children Justice Act 2015.


(2) A person shall not publish any information which reveals or may reveal the identity of a child or of any witness under the age of eighteen years appearing at any proceedings before the Court.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), a social worker or probation officer pursuant to this section shall not preclude- (a) access to information pertaining to a child if such access would be in the interests, safety or welfare of the child; (b) the publication, in the form of a law report, of- (i) information for the purpose or reporting any question of law relating to the proceedings in question; or (ii) any decision or ruling given by the Court on such a question; or (c) the publication, in the form of any report of a professional or technical nature, of research results and statistical data pertaining to a child if such publication would be in the interests, safety or welfare of the child or children in general.
(4) The reports referred to in subsection (3) (b) or (c) shall not mention the name of the person charged or the person against whom or in connection with whom the offence in question is alleged to have been committed or any witness at such proceedings, and shall not mention the place where the offence in question was alleged to have been committed.
(5) Any person who publishes any information contrary to subsection (4) commits an offence and is punishable upon summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.00 or 6 months imprisonment.

PART X Sentencing of Child 59.

Child to be sentenced in accordance with this Part The Court shall, after a finding of guilt in relation to a child, impose a sentence on the child in accordance with the provisions of this Part.

60.

Pre-sentence reports Child Justice Act 2015.

46 No.
46 No.

23 of 2015 (1) The Court shall request a pre-sentence report prepared by a probation officer or any other suitable person prior to the imposition of sentence on a child.

(2) Pursuant to subsection (1), the social worker or probation officer or a person shall complete the report as soon as possible, but no later than one calendar month following the date upon which such report was requested.
(3) Where the Court imposes a sentence other than that recommended in the pre-sentence report it shall record the reason for the imposition of a different sentence.
(4) The Court may dispense with a pre-sentence report where a child is convicted of an offence referred to in Schedule I, or where requiring such a report would cause undue delay in the conclusion of the case, save however that the Court shall not impose a sentence with a residential requirement unless a pre-sentence report has been first obtained.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), “a sentence with a residential requirement” includes a sentence where the residential requirement is suspended.
(6) Where a Magistrate imposes a sentence involving detention in a secure residential facility, the Magistrate shall certify on the warrant of detention that a pre-sentence report has been placed before the Court prior to the imposition of sentence.

61.
Purposes of sentencing (1) The purpose of sentencing pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be to- (a) (b) encourage the child to understand the implications of and be accountable for the harm caused; promote an individualised response which is appropriate to the circumstances of the child and proportionate to the circumstances surrounding the offence; (c) promote the reintegration of the child into the family and community; and (d) ensure that any necessary supervision, guidance, treatment or services which form part of the sentence, assist the child in the process of reintegration.
62.

Community based sentences (1) Sentences which allow children to remain in the community and which may be imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Act are as follows– (a) any of the options referred to in section 46 (2) (a) to (h) No.

23 of 2015 47 Children Justice Act 2015.
(b) (c) placement under a supervision and guidance order pursuant to the Probation of Offenders Act for a period not exceeding three years; in cases which warrant such specialised intervention, referral to counselling or therapy in conjunction with any of the options listed in this section for a period of time as the Court deems fit; (d) where the child is over the age of compulsory school attendance, and is not attending formal schooling, compulsory attendance at a specified centre or place for a specified vocational or educational purpose, for a period not exceeding one year and for no more than thirty five hours per week; (e) (f) (g) (h) performance without remuneration of some service for the benefit of the community under the supervision or control of a specified person or institution identified by the Court for a maximum period of two hundred and fifty hours and which shall be completed in one year; committing the child to the care of any fit person, whether a relative or not, who is willing to undertake the care of him; ordering the parent of the child to enter into a recognizance for the good behaviour of such child; any other sentence, subject to section71 which is appropriate to the circumstances of the child and in keeping with the principles of this Act and which, if it includes a period of time, shall not exceed twelve months.
(2) Consent of any person to undertake the care of a child in pursuance of an order made under paragraph (g) of subsection (1) shall be proved in such manner as the Court may think sufficient to bind him.

(3) Before a child under the age of fourteen years is sentenced pursuant to subsection (1) (e), special consideration shall be given to the age and development of the child.

63.
63.

Role of Supervision (1) Where a child has been placed under the supervision of a Supervisor pursuant to an order under section 62, that officer- (a) shall, while the order remains in force, visit, advise and support him and, when necessary, endeavour to find him suitable employment; and Child Justice Act 2015.

48 No.
48 No.

23 of 2015 (b) may, if it appears necessary in the child’s interest so to do, at any time while the order remains in force, bring him before a Juvenile Court and that court may, if it thinks it desirable in his interest so to do, commit him to the care of a fit person, whether a relative or not, who is willing to undertake the care of him.
(2) Where a child is bound by a recognizance or order under the Probation of Offenders Act pursuant to an order made by the Juvenile Court under this Act, the attainment by that child of the age of eighteen years shall not deprive the court of jurisdiction to enforce his attendance and deal with him in any respect of any failure to observe the conditions of his recognizance, or order or of jurisdiction to vary or discharge the recognizance or order.
64 Summons to inquire of fit person (1) Where a child has been convicted of any offence and the Court is satisfied that it is in the best interests and welfare of the child to make an order committing him to the care of a fit person and ascertains on inquiry that such a person is available and willing to undertake the care of the child, the court shall have power to summon such fit person before it for the purpose of examining him as to his fitness for being so appointed.
(2) The Court, before making an order under this Act committing a child to the care of a fit person, shall endeavour to ascertain the religious persuasion of the child and shall, wherever possible, in making such order, take into consideration such religious persuasion.
(3) Every order committing a child to the care of a fit person shall contain a declaration- (a) as to the age and religious persuasion (if ascertained) of the child with respect to whom the order is made; (b) where a contribution order has at the same time been made under section 82, stating the amount of such contribution and by whom it is payable.

65.
65.

Family Group Conference for sentencing (1) Where the Court makes a determination of guilt with respect to a child, the Court may refer the matter to a family group conference to make a recommendation as to sentencing.

(2) Section 47 shall apply where the Court has referred a matter to a family group conference.
(3) Upon receipt of the written recommendation from a family group conference, the Court shall- (a) confirm the recommendation by making it an order of the Court; or (b) substitute or amend the recommendation and make it an appropriate order.

No.

23 of 2015 49 Children Justice Act 2015.


(4) If the Court does not agree to the terms of the plan made at a family group conference, and imposes a sentence that is different in material respect from that agreed to or decided upon at the family group conference, the Court shall note the reasons for deviating from the plan on the record of the proceedings.
(5) Where a child who has been sentenced in accordance with an order arising from a family group conference fails to comply with that order, the social worker or probation officer shall notify the Court of the failure as soon as possible and the Court shall issue a warrant of apprehension for the child, and where the child appears before the Court pursuant to such warrant, the Court shall impose an appropriate sentence on the child.

66.
66.

Sentences involving correctional supervision (1) The Court may impose a sentence involving correctional supervision for a period not exceeding three years on a child over the age of fourteen years.

(2) The whole or any part of the sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (1) may be postponed or suspended, with or without conditions contemplated pursuant to section 70 (3).

67.
67.

Sentence with residential requirement (1) A sentence involving a residential requirement shall not be imposed on a child unless the Magistrate is satisfied that such a sentence is justified by- (a) the seriousness of the offence, the protection of the community and the severity of the impact of the offence on the victim; or (b) the previous failure of the child to respond to non-residential alternatives.
(2) A Magistrate imposing any sentence involving residential requirement on a child, shall note the reasons for the sentence on the record and explain them in language which the child can understand.
(3) A sentence involving a residential requirement shall include referral to a- (a) programme with a periodic residence requirement where the duration of the programme does not exceed one year, and no portion of the residence requirement exceeds twenty one consecutive nights, with a maximum of sixty nights for the duration of the programme; and (b) secure residential facility, subject to section 68.

Child Justice Act 2015.

50 No.

23 of 2015 68.


Referral to secure residential facility (1) Subject to subsection (2) a sentence involving a residential requirement shall not exceed two years.

(2) A sentence involving a residential requirement may be imposed for a period exceeding two years if the child is under the age of fourteen years and he would have been sentenced to imprisonment due to the seriousness of the offence were it not for section 69 (1) (a).
(3) A child referred to subsection (2) is not required to reside in a secure residential facility beyond the age of eighteen years.

(4) Upon completion of a sentence pursuant to subsection (1) or upon attainment of the age of eighteen years in the case of a child referred to in subsection (2), the child concerned may request permission in the prescribed manner from the head of the secure residential facility to continue to reside at such facility for the purposes of completing his education.

69.
Referral to prison (1) Except as provided for under this Act, no court in Antigua and Barbuda shall impose a sentence of imprisonment on a child unless– (a) (b) (c) the child was over the age of fourteen years of age at the time of commission of the offence; the offence for which the child is convicted is an offence listed under Schedule III, or murder or treason; and substantial and compelling reasons exist for imposing a sentence of imprisonment, which may include a previous failure to respond to alternative sentences, including sentences with a residential element and where the court imposing sentence considers that no other sentence is appropriate.
(2) Where a sentence of imprisonment is imposed on a child pursuant to subsection (1) that sentence shall be of a duration not exceeding three years.

(3) Where a child fails to comply with a condition of a sentence imposed on him or her, the child may, in the prescribed manner be brought before the Court for reconsideration of the original sentence which may, subject to subsections (1) and (2), include a sentence of imprisonment.
(4) Where any Court imposes a sentence of imprisonment on a child, the Court shall announce the period of imprisonment in open Court and the coming into effect of the term of imprisonment shall be antedated by the number of days that the child has spent in prison prior to the sentence being announced in that Court.

No.

23 of 2015 51 Children Justice Act 2015.

70.


Postponement or suspension of passing sentence (1) The passing of any sentence may be postponed, with or without one or more of the conditions referred to in subsection (3), for a period not exceeding three years.

(2) The whole or any part of any sentence may be suspended, with or without one or more conditions referred to in subsection (3), for a period not exceeding five years.
(3) The conditions contemplated in subsections (1) and (2) may be any condition appropriate to the circumstances of the child which is keeping with the objects of this Act and which promotes the reintegration of the child into society and may include- (a) restitution, compensation or symbolic restitution; (b) an apology; (c) the obligation not to commit a further offence of a similar nature; (d) good behaviour; (e) regular school attendance for a specified period; (f) attendance at a specified time and place of a family group conference ; (g) placement under the supervision of a probation officer; (h) (i) a requirement that the child shall appear before the Court on a date or dates to be determined by the Court for a periodic progress report; and referral to any diversion option referred to in section 46 (2) (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) or (k).
(4) Where the Court has postponed the passing of a sentence pursuant to subsection (1) on one or more conditions, the Court may request the social worker or probation officer concerned to submit regular reports indicating the compliance of the child with the conditions.

71.
71.

Penalty in lieu of fine or imprisonment (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the Court convicting a child of an offence for which a fine or imprisonment is stated by law as the penalty, may impose any one of the following penalties in place of that fine or imprisonment- (a) symbolic restitution to a specified person or institution; Child Justice Act 2015.

52 No.
52 No.

23 of 2015 (b) (c) payment of compensation not exceeding $20,000 to a specified person or institution where the child or his family is in a financial situation to afford such an amount; an obligation on the child to provide a service or benefit or to pay compensation to a specified organisation identified by the child concerned or by the Court, if there is no identifiable person to whom restitution or compensation could be made; or (d) any other sentence as stated in this Act, except imprisonment.
72.

Prohibition on certain forms of punishment (1) Subject to subsection (2), a sentence of life imprisonment or capital punishment or any form of corporal punishment shall not be imposed on a child.
(2) No court in Antigua and Barbuda shall pronounce on or record a sentence of death against a child, but instead that court shall sentence the child to be detained under the Court’s Order and, if so sentenced, he shall, notwithstanding anything in the other provisions of this Act, be liable to be detained in such place and under such conditions as the Minister may direct, and while so detained shall be deemed to be in lawful custody.

PART XI LEGAL REPRESENTATION 73.
Child to be provided with legal representation (1) A child shall be provided with legal representation by the State at the conclusion of an initial inquiry if no legal representative was appointed by the parent or an appropriate adult and if- (a) the child is in detention pending plea and trial in the Court; (b) the proceedings is postponed for plea and trial in the Court and it is likely that a sentence involving a residential requirement may be imposed if the child is found guilty of the offence in question; or (c) the child is under the age of fourteen and a certificate pursuant to section 52 (5) has been issued in respect of the child.
(2) The Director of Public Prosecutions or a designated prosecutor shall indicate to the Court whether he is of the opinion that the matter is a matter contemplated pursuant to subsection (1) (b) No.

23 of 2015 53 Children Justice Act 2015. before the child is asked to plead and if so, a plea shall not be taken until an attorney-at law has been appointed.

74.
Requirements to be complied with by attorney-at-law An attorney-at-law representing a child shall– (a) (b) allow the child, as far as is reasonably possible, to give independent instructions concerning the case; explain the rights and duties of the child in relation to any proceedings pursuant to the provisions of this Act, in a manner appropriate to the age and intellectual development of the child; (c) promote diversion where appropriate, but may not unduly influence the child to acknowledge responsibility; and (d) ensure that the trial is conducted without delay.
PART XII Records of Conviction and Sentence 75.

Expunging of records (1) The record of any sentence imposed on a child convicted of the offence of murder or treason shall not be expunged.
(2) In respect of offences other than murder or treason, the Magistrate shall make an order that the record of conviction and sentence of a child shall be expunged on a date set by the Magistrate after consideration of any relevant factor, including- (a) the nature and circumstances of the offence; and (b) the personal circumstances of the child.
(3) A date set by the Magistrate pursuant to subsection (2) for the expungement of the record of conviction and sentence of a child shall not exceed five years from the date of the imposition of sentence.

(4) Where a date for expunging of the record of conviction and sentence has been set pursuant to subsection (2), the Magistrate shall impose, as a condition of expunging, a requirement that the Child Justice Act 2015.

54 No.
54 No.

23 of 2015 child concerned shall not be convicted of a similar or more serious offence between the date of the imposition of the sentence and the date set for expunging.
(5) The order contemplated in subsection (2) and the condition referred to in subsection (4) shall be noted on the record of conviction and sentence of the child and shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Police who shall, upon the date set for expunging, cause such record of conviction and sentence to be expunged unless another conviction for a similar or more serious offence has been recorded against the child before the date set for expunging.
(6) Where the Magistrate makes a decision regarding the expunging of a record of a conviction and sentence pursuant to the provisions of this section, he shall explain the decision and give his reasons for the decision, including any conditions relating to the expunging of such record, to the child.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, the record of conviction and sentence of a child shall be expunged on the child attaining his 21st birthday.
(8) The conviction of a child in respect of whom passing of a sentence has been postponed pursuant to this Act shall be expunged from any record if the child has met all the conditions imposed by the court or at the expiration of any probation period in question, as the case may be.

PART XIII Miscellaneous – Evidence and Procedure, Child Advocate 76.
Monitoring of Child Justice (1) The Minister responsible for the administration of justice may make regulations regarding procedures to be put in place to monitor and assess the proper application of and compliance with the provisions of the Act.
(2) The regulations made pursuant to subsection (1) shall– (a) direct that this Act be monitored by the Attorney General in conjunction with any other relevant department, annually or at such other interval as may be prescribed, with the object of assessing the implications, effectiveness and proper application of and compliance with the provisions of this Act; and (b) be made after consultation with the Minister responsible for national security.

No.

23 of 2015 55 Children Justice Act 2015.

77.


Presence of Child in Court No child, other than an infant in arms, shall be permitted to be present in court during the trial of any other person charged with any offence, or during any proceedings preliminary to such trial, except during such time as his presence is required as a witness or otherwise for the purpose of justice, and any child present in court when under this section he is not so permitted, shall be ordered to be removed.

78.
Child Witnesses and the Oath (1) Where, in any proceedings against any person for any offence, any child called as a witness who does not in the opinion of the court, understand the nature of an oath, if in the opinion of the court, he is possessed of sufficient mental capacity to justify the reception of the evidence and understands the duty of speaking the truth and his evidence, though not given on oath, when taken and reduced into writing in accordance with the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed to be a deposition.
Provided that where evidence admitted by virtue of this section is given on behalf of the prosecution the accused shall not be liable to be convicted of the offence unless that evidence is corroborated by some other material evidence in support thereof implicating him.

(2) If pursuant to subsection (1) false evidence is received from a child in such circumstances that he would, if the evidence had been given on oath, have been guilty of perjury, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.

79.
79.

Rights and Powers of Fit persons The person to whose care a child is committed by an order made under this Act shall, while the order is in force, have the same rights and powers and be subject to the same liabilities in respect of the child’s maintenance as if he were his parent, and the child so committed shall continue in his care notwithstanding any claim by a parent or other person.

80.
80.

Transfer of care (1) The court by which an order committing a child to the care of a fit person is made, may at any time, on the application of a Supervisor, order a child under the care of a fit person to be transferred to the care of some other person.

Child Justice Act 2015.

56 No.

23 of 2015 (2) Upon a child being transferred in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1) the court shall cause notice thereof to be sent to the person liable to make contributions in respect of him.

81.
Escape from fit persons (1) A child who runs away from a person to whose care he has been committed under this Act may be apprehended without warrant by any police officer or supervisor and brought back to that person if that person is willing to receive him and if that person is not willing to receive him may be taken before a Juvenile Court which may make an order in respect of him as if he had been brought before the court as being in need of care and protection under the Children (Care and Adoption) Act.
(2) Any person who knowingly assists or induces a child to run away from a person to whose care he has been committed, or harbours or conceals a child who has so run away and prevents him from returning, commits an and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment of five years.

82.
82.

Contribution Order (1) Where an order has been made by the Court committing a child to the care of a fit person, the court may at the same time make a contribution order on any person who is under section 3 of the Maintenance and Access to Children Act, 2008 liable to make contributions in respect of the child, requiring that person to contribute such periodical payments in respect of each juvenile, as the court having regard to his means, thinks fit.
(2) A contribution order shall, unless varied or revoked, remain in force so long as the child remains in the care of the fit person and the Court when making such order shall have regard to any affiliation order in force in respect of the child.

Any such contribution order may be varied or revoked on the application of either the contributor or the person to whom the contributions are payable.
(3) A contribution order shall be enforceable at the instance of the person to whom the contributions are payable, in the same manner as an affiliation order made under the Magistrate’s Court Act.
(4) A person on whom a contribution order is made shall, if he changes his address, immediately give notice of the change to the persons to whom, immediately before the change, the contributions were payable, and, if he fails to do so, or if he knowingly gives false notice in any material particular commits an offence and liable to conviction to a fine of not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for 12 months.

No.

23 of 2015 57 Children Justice Act 2015.

83.


Form for Contribution Order An order, other than an interim order, committing a child to the care of a fit person and a contribution order shall be in the appropriate form set out in the Schedule 1V and such forms may be amended or revoked and different and additional forms may be prescribed by order made by the Minister.

84.
84.

Appointment of Child Advocate The Minister on the recommendation of the Director of Social Services may appoint a Child Advocate to carry out the duties and functions set out in this Act.

85.

Role and functions of Child Advocate (1) The role of the Child Advocate is to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of a child.
(2) In carrying out the role of the Child Advocate under subsection (1), the Child Advocate may- (a) (b) (c) communicate and visit with a child, or with a guardian or other person who represents a child; on the Advocate’s own initiative, or at the request of a child, assist in appealing or reviewing a decision relating to a designated service; represent a child with respect to any matter or proceeding under this Act or any matter or proceeding prescribed by regulation; (d) participate in processes in which decisions are made about children; (e) (f) undertake or collaborate in research related to improving designated services or addressing the needs of children receiving those services; provide information and advice to the Government with respect to any matter relating to the rights, interests and well-being of children; (g) perform any other function prescribed in the regulations.
Child Justice Act 2015.

58 No.

23 of 2015 PART XIV Offences and Penalties 86.

Obstruction of Police Officers etc.

(1) A person shall not hinder or obstruct a police officer, a social worker or a probation officer in the performance of his functions pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

(2) A person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.
(3) A person who- (a) fails to comply with a notice issued pursuant to section 18; (b) fails to comply with an instruction issued pursuant to section 14 or 41 (3); or (c) publishes information or reveals the identity of persons in contravention of section 58; commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years.

PART XV Regulations and Repeal 87.


Regulations The Minister may make regulations with respect to any matter which is required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed.

88.

Repeal (1) The following Acts are hereby repealed– (a) The Juvenile Act Cap 229 (b) The Juvenile Courts Act Cap.

230 No.

23 of 2015 59 Children Justice Act 2015.

(c) The Training School Act Cap.

346; and (d) Section 3(4) of the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act, 2013 No.

19 of 2013.
19 of 2013.

(2) Section 3 (4) of the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act, 2013 No.

19 of 2013 is repealed in its entirety.

SCHEDULE I Sections, 12, 16, 19.

57.

1.

Assault where grievous bodily harm has not been inflicted.

2.

Malicious injury to property where damage does not exceed $500.00.

3.

Trespass.

4.

Any offence under any law relating to the illicit possession of drugs where the quantity involved does not exceed 2 kilograms or is less than 1 litre in volume.. 5.
Theft, where the value of the property does not exceed $500.00.

6.

Any statutory offence where the maximum penalty determined by that statute does not exceed a fine of $1,500.00 or imprisonment of up to 3 months.

7.

Any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit any offence referred to in this Schedule.

8.

Any nonviolent offence not being an offence mentioned in Schedule II or III.

SCHEDULE II (Sections 16, 19).

1.

Assault, involving the infliction of grievous bodily harm.

2.

Arson.

3.
2.

Arson.

3.

Robbery, other than robbery with aggravating circumstances, if the amount involved does not exceed $2,500.00.

4.

Larceny, where the amount involved does not exceed $2,500.00.

Child Justice Act 2015.

60 No.

23 of 2015 5.

Any offence under any law relating to the illicit possession of drugs where the quantity involved does not exceed 4 Kilograms or is less than 2 litres in volume.

6.

Forgery or fraud, where the amount concerned does not exceed $5,000.00.

7.
7.

Any statutory offence where the penalty concerned does not exceed $2,500.00 or imprisonment of up to 6 months.

8.

Any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit any offence referred to in this Schedule.

SCHEDULE III (Sections 20, 34, 35, 53).

1.

Rape.

2.

Robbery– (a) where there are aggravating circumstances; (b) involving the taking of a motor vehicle.

3.

Indecent assault involving the infliction of grievous bodily harm.

4.

Indecent assault on a person under the age of eighteen years.

5.
5.

Any offence pursuant to Sections 4,5 or 6 of the misuse of Drugs Act, Cap.

283, as amended if– (a) (b) the value of the dependence producing substance in question in more than $10,000.00; or the value of the dependence drug producing substance in question is less than $10,000.00 and the offence was committed by a person, group of persons, acting in the execution or furtherance of a common purpose or conspiracy.

6.

Drug Trafficking 7.


Any conspiracy or incitement to commit an offence referred to in this Schedule or an attempt to commit any if the offences referred to in Item 1, or 2 of this Schedule.

8.

Manslaughter No.

23 of 2015 61 Children Justice Act 2015.
SCHEDULE IV Order Committing Child to Care of Fit Person To WHEREAS............................................. a child was brought before the Juvenile Court charged with an offence of ............... AND WHEREAS the said court considers it expedient and in the best interests of the welfare of the said child to make an order committing the said child to the care of a fit person who is willing to undertake the care of him: Therefore, you, the said ..................... are commanded to deliver the said child to ................................................................. Who has undertaken the said to care for ................................................................................to receive the said child into your custody and to keep him in accordance with and until he is released under the provisions of the Child Justice Act.
the said child and to command you IT IS HEREBY DECLARED THAT – (a) The age of the said child is ........................... years.................months, being born on the ...................day of................. (b) His religious persuasion is .......................... (c) A contribution order in the sum of ............................... a week payable by ..............................being the ........................of the said child has been made.
Given under my hand this .........................day of ............... 20…… at.............................

CONTRIBUTION ORDER WHEREAS an order committing ..................... a child to the care of .............................. of .....................has this day been made by this court.

AND WHEREAS the said ..........................has made application for a contribution order.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT ...................................being the ..............................................of the said child shall pay to ..........................................the sum of .......................................each month to be applied in accordance with the provisions of the Child Justice Act, the first o such payments to be made on the ...................day of ..................................so long as the said child Child Justice Act 2015.

62 No.
62 No.

23 of 2015 remains in the care of the said .................................or until this order is varied or revoked in accordance with the provisions of the Child Justice Act.

The Minister shall have the right to make regulations from time to time to give effect to this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives on the 20th day of October, 2015.

Passed the Senate on the 17th day of November, 2015.

Gerald Watt, Q.C., Speaker.

Alincia Williams Grant, President.


Ramona Small, Clerk to the House of Representatives.

Ramona Small, Clerk to the Senate.