Youth Law

Legal Aid Western Australia has a specialist team of lawyers in the Children's Legal Unit who will provide legal assistance to young people.

How can Children's Legal Unit help me?

• Representation in court if you have been charged with a criminal offence
• Legal advice over the telephone
• Personal appointment at Legal Aid for an interview
• Visits to provide legal advice at remand and detention centres or prisons

Where is Children's Legal Unit?

Our office is on the 7th floor at 55 St Georges Terrace, Perth (opposite London Court). You also can speak with us any week day morning at Perth Children's Court at 160 Pier Street (behind the Sunday Times building).

To make an appointment, ring 9261 6293 or 9261 6223.

Court Appearances

A criminal lawyer from Children's Legal Unit can represent you for:

• Bail applications
• Pleas of guilty
• Drug Court
• Defended matters (where you plead not guilty)
• Reviews of sentences before the President of the Children's Court
• Appeals to higher court

In the Children's Court, criminal matters are heard either before a magistrate or the President of the Court. The President is a District Court judge, but also has the same powers as a Supreme Court Judge to hear and decide the most serious of criminal matters in Children's Court.

Can Children's Legal Unit help me quickly?

We provide a free duty lawyer service in:

• Perth Children's Court each week day
• Joondalup Children's Court each Tuesday
• Midland Children's Court the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each month
• Mandurah Children's Court one Monday each month
• Metropolitan and country Children's Court when these courts sit

You should not appear in court unrepresented. The Children's Legal Unit lawyers will make every effort to be in court with you, or else refer you onto another lawyer.

Being summonsed to court or arrested can be a very unsettling experience. The lawyers at the Children's Legal Unit are here to assist you and advise and represent you.

You do not have to be charged with an offence before you ring Children's Legal Unit for legal advice. If you have any questions or concerns, the lawyers will be happy to discuss matters with you either over the telephone or in person.

The lawyers have many years experience with working in Children's Court and have a strong focus on juvenile justice.

Last Reviewed: November 2007