Sentencing young people

As well as there being specific statutory arrangements in place, sentencing of younger people often requires a more individualistic approach, taking into account the particular personal characteristics of the young person concerned. For example, depending on the age and maturity of the young person, their culpability in relation to the offence might be lower than that of an adult.

In addition, we recognise that many young people who have committed offences have experience of trauma, including higher than average experience of traumatic bereavement, and we will consider how that should be taken into account in sentencing.

The sentencing young people guideline was approved by the High Court of Justiciary on 09 November 2021 and came into effect on 26 January 2022. 

This guideline is currently at Stage 8.