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What will happen next?

There are lots of different results the police investigation can have, and what happens will depend on your age, what you’ve got into trouble for, and what evidence the police have. 

The police could decide not to take any more action if they:

  • think you haven’t committed a crime
  • don’t have enough evidence
  • don’t think it’s in the public interest to charge you (this means they don’t think it would be helpful enough to society to be worth it)

In these cases, the police end their investigation. But a ‘no further action’ outcome can still show up on your criminal record.

If you are charged, there are lots of different possible outcomes depending on your age and whether you live in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. 

Options include “out-of-court disposals” (where your case is dealt with without you having to go to court). 

Or there are various types of sentence you could be given by a youth court, a magistrates’ court or a Crown Court. Or, in Scotland, you could get an order made by a Children’s Hearing. 

DISCOVER
Who makes the decision on the criminal case depends where you live.

England

England

Scotland

Scotland

Wales

Wales

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

It’s really important that you and your adult supporters talk through the different possibilities with your solicitor. They will be able to tell you what is most likely to happen in your case.