Queensland has expanded its “adult crime, adult time” scheme, allowing courts to sentence children for significant offences as if they were adults. The Making Queensland Safer laws were introduced in late 2024, and in May 2025, they were broadened to include 33 offences, adding 20 more to the original list. Key additions include attempted murder, rape, torture, aggravated attempted robbery, trafficking in dangerous drugs, and endangering a police officer while driving.
Why Brisbane Families Should Pay Attention
Under this scheme, a child convicted of a specified offence may receive adult maximum, minimum, or mandatory penalties. The reforms have also removed the long-standing principle that detention should be a “last resort” for these offences, which alters how courts assess detention compared to community-based orders. For parents and carers in Brisbane, QLD, obtaining early advice and developing a careful case strategy are essential from the very start.
What are The New Youth Crime Laws
Here’s what the expansion means in practice:
- Adult Sentencing for Youth Offenders: In the most serious cases, youth offenders may face penalties equivalent to adult sentences, including the possibility of life imprisonment.
- Fewer diversion pathways: With the last-resort principle lifted for these offences, securing restorative justice and non-custodial options has become more challenging.
- Timing matters: The amendment applies only to offences committed after its commencement, so the date of the alleged conduct can be crucial.
How New Laws Affect Young Offenders
If your child has been charged, it’s important to focus on the following areas for defence planning:
- Charge mapping: Verify that the offence falls under the “adult crime, adult time” list and ensure that the commencement date aligns with the conduct in question.
- Context and mitigation: Factors such as your child’s age, maturity, role in the incident, prospects for rehabilitation, education, counselling, and family support are still crucial during sentencing, even within a stricter framework.
- Bail, custody, and long-term impact: Decisions made during the police interview and bail process can significantly affect the likelihood of youth detention or adult-equivalent outcomes, which can, in turn, have consequences for your child’s education, employment, and travel opportunities.
Practical Steps for Families Facing Youth Charges
- Seek Early Advice: Before any interviews, consult a criminal defence lawyer or a juvenile defence lawyer. If you’re searching for a criminal defence law firm near you or a criminal defence lawyer, use these terms to find urgent assistance in your area.
- Ask the right question: Inquire whether the charge falls under the “adult crime, adult time” offences.
- Preserve context: Keep records such as notes, messages, CCTV footage, medical records, or school records. These can help clarify liability or support any mitigation efforts.
- Build support: Engaging with education, therapy, and community programs can demonstrate positive outcomes in youth justice reform.
- Drug allegations: If you’re looking for a “drug charge lawyer” nearby, seek advice on the distinctions between trafficking and possession charges, and understand how the expanded list of offences may impact sentencing.
Take Action Early with Expert Legal Guidance
Queensland’s expanded “adult crime, adult time” scheme is shifting more youth matters towards adult-style penalties. For families in Brisbane, receiving early, tailored advice can significantly impact the outcome. If you’re seeking guidance on Understanding Queensland’s Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, including charge analysis, strategy, and representation, contact ASHWORTH LAWYERS. Their lawyers represent clients in courts across Queensland and develop defence strategies that consider the specific charges, the young person’s stage of development, and realistic rehabilitation pathways under the new youth crime laws. Reach out to them today to schedule a confidential, same-day consultation and create a clear plan for your situation.
