Seventeen too young for adult courts, says Labour

Andrew Little says it is important to prevent youth re-offending. Photo / Paul Taylor

An examination of whether 17-year-old criminals should be kept out of the adult justice system has the support of Labour.

Justice Minister Amy Adams has asked officials to examine if steering 17-year-olds to the Youth Court - instead of treating them as adults as is currently the case - could cut rates of re-offending.

Labour leader Andrew Little said the party supported an examination of the issue, and he personally felt a change should be made.

"At the age of 17 the young adult brain is still not fully developed. And I personally doubt whether it is a good idea to put offenders at that age into the adult criminal justice system.

"The main objective must be, even at that age, people have to be rescuable, if you like. We've got to have faith that we can stop teenagers from going on to harder criminal offending. And the best way to do that is to keep them out of the adult criminal justice system."

There is more of an emphasis on support and rehabilitation for those who progress through the Youth Court, which has its own special Judges. Orders made in the Youth Court are not criminal convictions.

However, people aged 16 and younger who are charged with the most serious crimes, such as murder or manslaughter, have their cases referred to the High Court.

Mr Little said that was an important safeguard, and could be extended.

"It may well be, depending on what comes out of the investigation, that you add a few more serious crimes to that list."

A spokesman for Ms Adams said the possibility of raising the age of referrals to the Youth Court was "something that's raised with her from time to time".

"She's asked Justice officials for some analysis on the matter. But she hasn't made any decisions and is keeping an open mind."

The Government has a "better public services" goal of cutting the rate of court appearances by 14 to 16-year-olds by 25 per cent by June 2017, and other countries deal with 17-year-olds through youth courts.