Introduction If you’ve seen or heard a crime or been a victim of a crime, and you told the Police about this, the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service might decide that someone might have committed a crime, and the case must go to court. You might be asked to attend court to answer questions about what happened. You would …
Age of consent
Introduction Consent is when a person freely gives their permission or agrees to something. This decision needs to have been made without being: Pressured or bullied Given drugs or alcohol to change their decision Or, otherwise manipulated. At what age can I legally have sex? This is also known as the ‘age of consent’. In England and Wales, the age …
Accused of a crime: Going to court
Do I have the right to have a solicitor when I go to court? If you have been accused of a crime, you will be given a solicitor to defend you in court. If you don’t know a solicitor, you will be given a duty solicitor, who will be provided free of charge. A solicitor will: Talk you through what …
If you are arrested
Age of criminal responsibility The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old. Children between 10 and 17 can be arrested and taken to court if they commit a crime. What happens when I arrive at the police station? The police must try to contact your parent, guardian or carer if you’re under 18. They must …
Legal aid
What is legal aid? Legal aid is money from the government that will pay a solicitor or a legal representative to act on your behalf. In some cases, you may have to contribute to the cost of a solicitor, but only when you have the money to do so. Criminal legal aid If you are arrested and held in custody …
Stop and search
What is a stop and account? A stop and account is when a police officer stops you in a public place and asks you to account for yourself and may ask you: What you’re doing Where you’ve been Where you’re going What you’re carrying You do not have to answer any questions the police officer asks if you do not …
Rape and other forms of abuse
What is rape? The legal definition of rape is when someone puts their penis in another person’s vagina, anus or mouth, without the person’s permission. What is sexual assault by penetration? Assault by penetration is when someone puts an object or any part of the body other than their penis (for example fingers) into another person’s vagina or anus, without …
What can happen to me if I break the law?
For children under the age of 10 The age of criminal responsibility in England is 10. This means that you cannot be charged with a crime if you are younger than that, but other things can happen: Local Child Curfew: You may be banned from being in a public place between 9pm and 6am, unless you are with an adult. …