Youth courts deal with young offenders under the age of 18. A very small number of really serious crimes committed by children, such as murder, are dealt with by a judge in the Crown Court.

Magistrates who sit in the youth court are specially trained for dealing with young people. The youth court is not open to the general public. Only those with a direct involvement are allowed in court. One of the main aims of youth courts is to prevent further offending. There is a range of sentences available to young offenders in youth courts, from referral orders to supervision orders. Magistrates can also send children and young people to Young offender institutions (YOIs), local authority secure children's homes (LASCHs) or secure training centres (STCs).