Attending court
What happens in court?
The Youth Court in Walsall is within the Magistrates Court, which is on Stafford Street.
All cases are listed under the name of the young person facing a criminal charge (the defendant) identifying the court the case will be heard in. You should go to the waiting area outside the Youth Court and inform the usher – a man or woman in a black gown with a clipboard – of your arrival.
You will have time to meet with your legal representative before the hearing, in order to ask any questions you may have. If you inform the usher of your solicitor's name, they will be able to let them know you are in the building.
Inside the court the magistrates sit together at the front of the court, called 'the bench'. In front of ‘the bench' is the court clerk, who gives information to the magistrates when required.
Information will also be given to the magistrates by the Crown Prosecution Service solicitor, who will be presenting the facts of the case from their point of view.
If you plead 'not guilty' to the offence you have been charged with, the court will need to adjourn to arrange a trial in order for the magistrates to be able to hear all the evidence of the case and decide on whether to find you guilty (convict you of the offence) or not guilty (acquit you of the offence). A Pre-Trial Review is often held before the trial date is arranged. This is where all the legal representatives attend the court and discuss the case on your behalf.
The serious nature of some offences may mean that they cannot be dealt with in the Youth Court. On those occasions the magistrates will transfer the case (Committal) to the local Crown Court where the case will be held in front of a judge instead of a bench of magistrates.
If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the court will proceed to deciding on the appropriate way to deal with you for the offence (sentence).
What will be expected of me?
It is important that you attend the court in good time for your scheduled hearing and follow any instructions given by the court staff. On occasions for various reasons, cases may be adjourned to another date. It is important that you do not leave the court building until you are told you are no longer needed.
You will need to let the court know in advance of the hearing date, if you or anyone attending the court may need an interpreter, or has a disability or any other special needs. This could be done via your solicitor.