South Australia Police is a leader in the area of juvenile justice and strives to meet the legal requirements of the Young Offenders Act 1993.

Where appropriate, police divert young people from the court system, and help them to understand the impact of their actions on victims, the community, their family and themselves. Young people charged with less serious offences are encouraged to take responsibility for their crimes through their involvement in the cautioning and family conferencing forums.

In cases where young people have committed serious and violent offences they will be prosecuted in the court system.

For more information about the Juvenile Justice System contact your local police station and speak with a member of the Community Programs Section.

You can get information on juvenile crime statistics from the Office of Crime Statistics and Research  www.ocsar.sa.gov.au

For more information about the Youth Court in South Australia go to www.courts.sa.gov.au/courts/youth/index.html