Referral orders

Referral Order

A Referral Order is given to a young person who pleads guilty to an offence when it is his/her first time in court.

The only exceptions are if the offence is so serious that the court decides a custodial sentence is absolutely necessary, or the offence is relatively minor in which case an alternative such as a fine or an absolute discharge may be given.

For more information on referral orders please visit the Youth Justice Board website.