The lawyer of a 14-year-old sentenced to six years imprisonment for the manslaughter of a shopkeeper has called for the Youth Court to deal with cases for young people aged up to 20.
Maria Pecotic said the Youth Court systems were working well for young offenders, and when the young offender turns 17 services for them drop off.
"There is very little in the way of rehabilitation services and support for people between the ages of 17 and 20," she said.
She talked to media after the sentencing of a 14-year-old for the manslaughter of Arun Kumar.
The teenager was sentenced to six years in prison, with the minimum non-parole period of three years and three months to be served in a Youth Justice Residence.
She said she hoped Child Youth and Family would ensure a secure plan for him to be paroled to the community and not end up in jail once he turned 17, which would be "incredibly detrimental" for him.
Ms Pecotic said 17 years old is "still incredibly young".
"I don't believe that taking a child through a criminal jury trial process is ideal," she said.
"I would like to see the age of young people in the youth court lifted so that we can cater for older offenders."
She said extended powers in the Youth Court and specialised services such as a Pasifika court, and drug and alcohol courts, were available for young people up to 17.
"There are a number of different processes available to young people in the youth court that aren't available in the mainstream."
She would like those to be available to young people past the age of 17.
"There is intensive wrap-around therapy for these young people, and it does work," Ms Pecotic said.