Youth Justice and Related Legislation Amendment Bill 2019

A key change to the Youth Justice and Related Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 includes improving the application of bail for young people and decriminalising breach of bail conditions as an offence – thereby cutting red tape and putting the focus on tackling criminal behaviour.

The following examples explains the change in practice.

Currently
A young person was charged with burglary and released on bail with conditions to reside at a certain address with a curfew from 8pm to 7am. Police observe the young person out at night in breach of his curfew condition by 15 minutes, returning from football training. Police can arrest and formally charge the young person for breaching his condition.

With the proposed change
Police do not formally charge the young person, however they retain the discretion whether or not to arrest the young person and bring them before Court to reconsider bail. Court would be able to decide whether to revoke bail or change the conditions.