Which NSW act governs the conduct of criminal proceedings against children?

• A. Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW)
• B. Victims Rights and Support Act 2013 (NSW)
• C. Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW)
• D. LEPRA (NSW) 2002

Answer: (C)

In NSW, there is a dedicated framework for handling criminal cases involving young people, recognizing their age and developmental needs. The Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) is the statute that governs these proceedings, designating the Children’s Court as the proper forum for offences by those under 18 and setting out procedures that emphasize welfare and rehabilitation. It defines who is a child in this context, outlines how charges are brought and heard, and covers important protections such as representation, privacy, and parental involvement, along with the kinds of orders that can be made to support the child’s development. The other Acts cover different areas—victims’ rights, general police powers, or juvenile diversion mechanisms—but they do not establish the specific procedural framework for criminal proceedings against children in the way this Act does.