Criminal Court Sentencing: The Case for Specialist 'Young Adult' Courts.

This article examines the treatment of young adults (aged 18–25) within the criminal justice system of England and Wales (E&W), focusing on court sentencing and the potential benefits of introducing specialist young adult courts. It discusses whether such courts could provide more consistent consideration of developing maturity and social background factors—such as family disadvantage and neurodevelopmental conditions—in sentencing decisions, beyond the scope of the 2019 E&W sentencing guidelines. Drawing on international examples from New Zealand and Brooklyn, where specialist young adult courts have shown positive outcomes in engagement, reduced incarceration, and lower reoffending rates, the article argues that a dedicated court model in E&W could better address the unique developmental and social needs of young adults. It also highlights the need for improved maturity assessments, specialized judicial and legal training, and further research to enhance rehabilitative sentencing and social justice for this age group.