Age of Offender

Abstract

Abstract This chapter highlights the powers of the court on sentence that depend upon the age of the offender. It explains that the relevant age is the defendant’s age on the date of conviction and the date on which they plead guilty or are found guilty. It also talks about an offender that crosses a significant age threshold between the date of the commission of the offence and the date of conviction. The chapter considers the sentence that the defendant would receive if they had been sentenced at the date of the commission of the offence as the starting point for the court when an offender reaches a certain age. It describes occasions when an increase in the age of a child or young person will result in the maximum sentence on the date of the finding of guilt.