14 yr old son in court?

Question

my son is in court today for his 1st offence..aggrivated burglary..in teh uk..has anyone been thru this?

Answer 1

If it is his first offence, it is likely that he will be given a community order with the Youth Offending Team (like the youth version of the probation service). It will likely be something quite lenghty due to the fact that it was an aggrivated offence.
It is likely he will be given a Referral Order, which is the standard for under 18's for their first offence. They last as a minimum 3 months or a maximum of 12 months. If he does not comply with the order (and it depends on how strict his YOT worker will be) he will be hauled back in front of the courts and be given either an extended referral order or be given another type of order.
The Youth Justice Board website is a good place to get more information, or speak to your local youth offending team.

Answer 2

Jesus christ! AGGRAVATED BURGLARY?!!!!!! Do you realise how serious that is? Burglary is entering a building as a trespasser and stealing/ attempting to steal/ causing GBH/ attempting to cause GBH (s9 Theft Act 1968) Aggravated Burglary is doing the above WITH A WEAPON (s10 Theft Act 1968). If your son is convicted the maximum he can be jailed for is life. The likelyhood of him getting life is, well, very unlikely. The judge will consider his age, no previous convictions and also in the current legal climate I would guess 5-7 years. thats obviously at a young offenders jail, and Im speculating as to the time. I dont know any facts. The fact that it is his first offence is irrelevant until sentencing. So basically that will have no baring on the jurys decision.

I dont really know what you want, other than to seriously discipline your boy. I havent been through this, but I can imagine that its quite a nervous time for you. Im not going to sugar coat anything, Aggravated burglary is a BIG deal. Obviously for the prosecution to be successful, they will need to proove that your son had 1. entered a building. 2. That he was a trespasser in that building. 3. That he stole or attempted to steal or caused GBH or attempted to cause GBH 4. that your son intended to one of the above. Fortunately (unfortunately for society) intent is a very difficult thing to prove. and without any one of those 4 points your son will be acquitted. Again I dont know any facts so there maybe a stronger argument, but I guess that that is what your lawyer will be attacking. Another point to consider is that the burdon of proof in a criminal case is 'beyond reasonable doubt' ie if the jury has any doubt, they must acquit. Thinking about it on a percentage scale, the jury should be atleast 85-90% sure your son is guilty. And if you've got a good lawyer, that shouldnt be too much of a problem. So just relax (easier said than done) and let justice take its course.

(I am not a lawyer, so dont rely TOO heavily on what i've said. I am a law student in my final year at uni)

Answer 3

I am only replying to clear up what "aggravated burglary" as a police special constable and civilan crime recorder i can give a insight into the correct law behind it and some people are automatically assuming this person has assualted someone which does not have to be the case for it to be aggravated burglary.

In laymans terms it is Burglary whereby the offender has with him his "WIFE" W=weapons of offence (ie a knife), I = imitation firearm, F= firearm E= Explosive

or/and commit/inflict GBH

However you dont have to commit any assualt, just having any of the above items on the list on you at the time of breaking in will upgrade it to Aggravated Burglary.

The house can be empty with no one home when they break into a house, if i then catch them in the house with one of those listed items it is still aggravated burglary.

Just wanted to clear it up.

It is still a serious offence even if he did not assualt someone it carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if the judge throws the book at him.court.

Answer 4

Chat will do no good a good belting will underline things better and blow human rights and child protection. He will just laugh at the Court penalties.

The worst thing I ever did as a 13 year old was run across a flower bed in the local park in spite of a warning by the policeman. The fear of appearing in a Juvenile Court was nothing compared to the fear of what my Mother would do to me if she found out. She did not until about thirty years later when I told her. i think she wanted to give me a clip over the ear then but she was crippled with arthritus. Phew!!

Answer 5

I'm sorry for the lashing U are taking here but the real question U should be asking yourself is what will happen after this and what can i do to prevent it from ever happening again.

Tough question give the child has come to a point in his life where its OK to hurt another person just cause I want to.You and he need to get a change of heart . What part of your parenting have you so mismanaged that it would account for his behavior. And what does he need to end a career of crime. That's your Mission here Lot of luck...

Answer 6

The best advice I can give is to educate yourself on the process. Here in the United States many people are charged with crimes that do not fit their actions. Unfortunately most people plea bargain or place their faith in the Public Defender (or as commonly known Public Pretender) without taking the time to understand the process. Also remember that you have a right to be heard speak up for your son and allow him to speak.

Answer 7

He'll most likely get a slap on the wrist, which is 100% wrong!! These young hooligans need to be taught respect. I pray they make him do time and I hope that teaches him a valuable lesson. Sorry if hes your son and you don't want to hear that, but why should people have to suffer because of out of control terrors like him? You are also the victim here so give him what for and do not hold back because if he thinks his surrounding world is soft and easy, he'll do it again without thought.

Answer 8

Aggravated burglary is, essentially, theft with the use or threat of violence against the victim. Quite frankly, if he gets less than a custodial sentence, you'll need to ground him for a long time - not weeks but months until he can demonstrate that he has mended his ways.

Answer 9

your kid needs some tough punishment, i really hope he gets some sort of punishment because trust me, it doesnt get better. Aggrivated burglary? I mean come on, imagine if it was your home, imagine if it was you being robbed by some 14 year old kid, what would you want to happen? I have a member in my family who is a drug user, a thief (of his own parents aswell, trust me, it will happen to you if he doesnt get his life sorted) been in jail for various amounts of time, even been in a mental institute due to constant drug abuse etc etc etc, and i think your son is at the start of that road right now. He wont learn by being told 'he was very naughty', he's doing adult crimes, he should be punished like an adult.
But in saying that, he will probly just be asked to do some community service. lucky him.

Answer 10

Aggravated burglary is a very serious offence the only thing he has going for him is his age you can get up to 10 years in jail for this he'll probably get probation community service and fine along with court costs