Out of Court Disposal (Sometimes called Diversion)
If you are arrested for any offence you should always ask for a solicitor. This is free if you are under 18. Just ask a Police Officer to call one for you.
A solicitor can give you the best advice about the offence you have been arrested for and prepare you to be interviewed.
Wirral Youth Justice Services ALWAYS advise you to have a solicitor.
If you get interviewed about an offence at the police station, there are different ways that the police can deal with you if they think you are guilty.
With some offences they will charge you and you will have to go to Court.
In some cases they can refer you to the Youth Justice Service instead of Court so that an “out of Court Disposal” can be considered.
If your offence can be dealt with as an out of court disposal, it means it doesn’t go on your “criminal record” which could help you when applying for jobs.
Some out of court disposals can only be given if you admit the offence that you are accused of. You should discuss this with your solicitor.
If your offence is sent to the Youth Justice Service, a worker will meet you and do an assessment—this talks through what happened and about you and your life.
You must attend your appointment or your offence will go back to Police to decide what to do next, and could mean that you need to go to court.
Once you have met with your worker, they will write a report for an Out of Court Disposal Panel. Based upon the report, the panel will decide which is the right outcome. This could be:
Outcome 22— a short intervention with the Youth Justice Service or someone else, for example a substance use service. As long as you complete this the Police computer will show that the matter is closed.
Community Resolution—you will be offered support by the Youth Justice Service and others based on the offence and what is going on in your life. This is only an option if you admit the offence.
Inclusion Panel— longer intervention used for more serious offences. It lasts between 3 and 6 months and the final outcome will be either Outcome 22 or Community Resolution—meaning that the offence will not be part of your criminal record. If you do not attend the sessions then this is sent back to the Police for charge and could mean you go to court. This is only an option if you admit the offence.
Other options—formal criminal justice disposals
Caution—You will be given a Caution at a Police station
Youth Conditional Caution— You will be given a Caution at a Police Station and have to do 3 months of intervention. You have to attend these sessions or it is sent back to Police and you may have to go to court.
Further Support
Merseyside Police
Phone: 999 in an emergency
a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
someone is in immediate danger or harm
property is in danger of being damaged
a serious disruption to the public is likely
Phone: 0800 555 111 for Crimestoppers
For more information about Police UK search Police UK in this directory.
Visit the Merseyside Police website
Catch 22
Offender management, violence reduction interventions, rehabilitation and victim services. Working with young people and adults, we provide intervention services in custody and in the community that are focused on building strong, consistent and trusting relationships to help unlock potential and make positive changes in life.
Phone: 020 7336 4800
Email: Peopleservices@catch-22.org.uk
For more information about Catch22 search Catch22 in this directory.
Visit the Catch22 Facebook page
Wirral Youth Justice Service Prevention Work
YJS prevention work is completed on a voluntary basis with young people aged 10 to 18 years who are involved in Anti-Social or Offending Behaviour.
Who is eligible and how can I make a referral to Prevention Services?
In order to be eligible for support young people must be involved in either 1,2, 3 or 4:
1 - Persistent high level ASB (consider checking with Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team)
2 - Behaviour which could have resulted in a prosecution (including regularly carrying weapons)
3 - Violence on parents/carers
(if this is the key issue then please contact Tim Collins 666 4918 for the referral form for this service)
4 – Concerning
(not harmful) sexual behaviour (those committing harmful sexual behaviour should be referred on the Changing Futures referral form and should contact Ann Ainscough or Patricia Wootton via our main number 666 3466
Additional Factors
School Factors – NEET, Exclusion or Risk of, Very low school attendance
Drug / Alcohol use impacting life chances
Peers or Family committing offences / Risk of Criminal Exploitation (CE)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Referrals for the YJS Prevention Services should be completed on the Youth Justice Service referral form. Please call 0151-666-3466 for more details.