The youth court is largely unknown territory. Trials proceed behind closed doors. In 2015/2016, I had the opportunity to observe six trial days in London and north Wales.
In general, my impression of the youth court is much more positive than of adult courts. An initial adversarial procedure is followed by an investigatory phase. Magistrates appear genuinely interested in the juveniles and their cases. The presiding magistrate engages in dialogue with the juveniles.
Prosecutors, lawyers, legal advisors, YOT appear competent and in many cases personally engaged.
Generally, the objective of retribution yields to an attempt to better the juvenile‘s life.
I would like to study the youth court on a wider scale to see if this picture applies more generally.