A scheme to stop first-time young offenders going to court for minor offences will be piloted next year.
The Youth Restorative Justice Disposal will get 10- to 17-year-old young offenders, who have committed a minor offence, to apologise to their victims and explain their actions.
This will avoid them having to go to court, and encourage them to think about the impact their behaviour has on others.
The idea is that it will address offending at an early stage without the potentially damaging consequences of a court appearance.
Justice Minister, David Hanson, said: “Court is often an inappropriate option for very young people who have never committed any previous offence.”
