If the conference is a police referral and an agreement is reached at the conference and complied with, then young person's offence can be finalised. If the conference is a court referral and successfully completed the matter may be the end or it may be taken into account when sentencing the young person. This will depend on the type of Court referral. Legal Advice We strongly recommend that young people see a lawyer before a conference. With more serious offences we require a young person to see a lawyer before attending.
Lawyers are available free of charge.
It may not be easy for a person who has offended to meet those who have been hurt by the offence. Victims may be angry about what has happened to them. They have been hurt and will want to talk about their feelings. The conference convenors will help manage the feelings and to keep the discussions going in a helpful direction. At all times during the conference convenors will be in control of the process and provide a safe, supportive environment for all participants.