Youth Justice Lawyer
Cairns & Far North Queensland
Your child has been charged with a criminal offence. You are worried about their future — whether they will get a criminal record, whether they will be detained, and what this means for their schooling, their employment prospects, and the rest of their life. The youth justice system in Queensland is separate from the adult system. The principles are different, the court is different, and the range of outcomes is different. The Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld) governs youth sentencing, though the framework changed significantly in December 2024 under the Making Queensland Safer Act 2024 . The…
The Childrens Court Is a Different Jurisdiction
Criminal charges against children aged 10 to 17 are dealt with in the Childrens Court of Queensland — a specialist division of the Magistrates Court (and, for indictable matters, the District Court). The Childrens Court operates under different legislation and different sentencing principles from the adult courts. The Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld) establishes a hierarchy of outcomes that…
Diversion and Restorative Justice
Queensland's youth justice framework strongly favours diversion — resolving the matter without a finding of guilt and without a criminal record. Diversion is available at several stages: Police diversion: Police can issue a caution or refer the young person to a community-based program instead of charging them. If your child has been charged and diversion was not offered, Sacha can raise this with…
When the Charge Is Serious
For more serious charges — assault occasioning bodily harm, robbery, drug supply, property offences involving significant value — the consequences are more significant. The Childrens Court retains jurisdiction for most indictable offences, but the sentencing range is wider and may include supervised probation, community service, or conditional release. Detention is available. For offences…
Fixed Fees
- Youth Justice — Childrens Court Plea — $2,400
- Youth Justice — Serious or Indictable Charge — $4,800
- Restorative Justice Conference — $1,650