Children Court Services

Matters Filed at the Children Court

The Children Court holds children accountable for offences committed and disruptive behavior. The types of matters that can be filed at the Children Court include:

• Children’s Authority Applications
  The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT) can make several applications pursuant to its duty as guardian of the children of Trinidad and Tobago under the Children Authority Act Chap. 46:10 and the suite of children legislation. Some of these include, applications for wardship, applications for interim Supervision Orders, Care Orders and Recovery Orders.
• Private Applications
  This is a criminal action that is initiated by a private citizen rather than a police officer. This complaint is against another person he or she suspects or believes is guilty of a crime and presents an accusation before the proper authorities for investigation. It also includes applications involving protection orders.
• Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS) Applications
  Section 50A of the Children Act 2012 (as amended)- “Where a parent, guardian or person with responsibility for a child alleges that he is unable to control the child, he may apply to the Court for an order deeming the child to be a Child in Need of Supervision.
• Criminal Indictable Matters
  These matters are the most se­ri­ous cat­e­go­ry of crim­i­nal of­fences. There are two stages in in­dictable tri­als. First­ly, a pre­lim­i­nary en­quiry or com­mit­tal pro­ceed­ings in the Children Court be­fore a Master must be con­duct­ed. The Master de­ter­mines if the Pros­e­cu­tion can es­tab­lish a pri­ma fa­cie case against the ac­cused. If the Master has determined that there is a prima facie case against the accused, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has to file an indictment and a date will set be set for the trial to be commenced before a Judge at the Children Court.
• Criminal Summary Matters
  These matters are usu­al­ly con­tained in the Sum­ma­ry Of­fences Act Chap 11:02. They are less se­ri­ous crim­i­nal of­fences in which the penal­ties that can be im­posed are not as great as in­dictable of­fences. Sum­ma­ry of­fences are proceeded with sum­mar­i­ly, that is, tried in the Children Court by the Master.

Non-Custodial Sentencing

As a problem-solving court, the Children Court provides targeted intervention to address the needs of children in conflict with the law and children who are in need of supervision (CHINS). Though custodial sentencing options are utilized by the Court, intervention can also be provided through several non-custodial sentencing options that support the rehabilitation and re-integration of child offenders and CHINS back into society. Among the non-custodial sentences available at the Children Court are:

• Individual Counselling
  Counselling allows individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs and behaviors; work through challenging or influential memories; identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change; better understand themselves and others; set personal goals; and work toward desired change. At the Children Court, Social Workers use assessments as a basis for identifying problems, planning interventions and evaluating and/or diagnosing children.
• Family Counselling
  The goal of family counselling is to help family members improve communication, solve family problems, understand and handle special family situations (for example, death, serious physical or mental illness, or child and adolescent issues), and create a better functioning home environment.
• Parent Counselling
  Parenting sessions are educational sessions that teach parents parenting skills specific to the needs/crises that their child(ren) may be experiencing. The sessions teach parents how to provide the supportive response that assists with the overall well-being and social-functioning of the child. Additionally, it assists with the development and maintenance of positive relationships with their children.
• Court-Annexed Peer Resolution
  This is a process whereby the Court requests a group of trained Youth Volunteers (ages 13-17) to recommend sanctions for children (Respondents) who have come before the Court for minor offences.
• The Children Drug Treatment Court
  This process is for children with drug related offences, substance misuse and who are in need of treatment. It helps children who are at a high risk of substance use issues or who are addicted to drugs.
• The Life Lessons Programme
  Lessons are designed to provide children with the skills and values needed to help them overcome life’s challenges. They are guided through the process of change in thinking, behaviour and attitudes. It also helps them identify positive persons in their lives who they can depend on for support and guidance.
• Imani Healing Circle
  This programme looks at some of the stressful or unusual events in a boy’s life that may still be affecting him. It provides support to overcome those challenges and guides boys who are enrolled to positive changes in thinking, attitudes and behaviour.
• A Girl Like Me – Girls Circle
  This programme helps girls look at various issues which can negatively impact their lives. It provides them with the opportunity to develop skills that can help them make better choices and improve their ability to function and cope with life changes.