The Youth Crime Board

The Youth Crime Board handles cases where children and young people aged 10–17 are suspected or convicted of criminal offences.

The purpose of the board is to help children and young people lead a life without crime and to prevent youth crime.

If you are under 18 and are charged or indicted in a criminal case, the police will inform your parents about the charge against you. The police will also notify the social authorities in your municipality.

Call +45 8618 1102 to book a meeting with a lawyer. It is free for young people and parents of young people to receive legal assistance before the The Juvenile Delinquency Board. We apply to be appointed in your case so we can assist you.

Are you 10–14 years old?

In these cases, it is the police who refer your case to the board. If the police suspect you of having committed a criminal offence, and the police would have charged you if you were over 15 years old, the police can instead send your case for consideration by the board.

Are you 15–17 years old?

When your criminal case is heard in court, the judge may decide that the case should also be dealt with by the board. In cases where you receive a suspended sentence, the judgment may include a condition that the case is handled by the board. If you are to serve a prison sentence, your case may also be brought before the board shortly before your release.

Thus, if you commit a crime, you may both receive a sentence in court, and the board may at the same time impose measures to help you lead a life without crime.

Youth assessment

When your case is referred for board consideration, it is the municipality that must investigate the case and provide a recommendation to the board on how the case should be decided. The investigation forms the basis for the board’s decision in the case.

A representative from the social authorities is allowed to attend your police interview and court hearing, and in some cases your parents may also be present during an interview. As a general rule, your parents must be present in court when the criminal case itself is heard. You have the right not to make a statement to the police, or to wait to make a statement until you are represented by a defence lawyer.

You and your parents always have the right to speak with a lawyer who can assist and advise you during the interview.

If you are suspected or convicted of violent crime and under 18 years old, your case will automatically be referred for handling by The Youth Crime Board.

If your case concerns other serious crime, your case will only be dealt with by the board if there is a risk that you will reoffend.

You are entitled to free legal assistance if you are over 10 years old and the case concerns:

• implementation of a youth assessment during placement in an institution,

• admission to hospital or use of a children’s house,

• placement outside the home,

• detention during a placement,

• contact and visitation,

• continuation of a placement without consent,

• change of placement location.

KROMANN Law Firm is listed on the secretariat’s list of lawyers for handling cases before The Youth Crime Board.

Pre-trial detention

If you are under 18 years old and are placed in pre-trial detention, you will be held in a secure institution for young people, and it is the court that decides how long you will stay there.

CONTACT US TODAY

If you are under 18 years old and are charged/suspected in a criminal case, or if you are a parent of a charged/suspected child, please contact us by phone +45 8618 1102 or email kontakt@advokatkromann.dk.

You can read more about related topics on the pages below.