A new initiative has been launched on Friday at Porirua District Court to give young offenders a fair go in the justice system.
The Young Adult List will give 18 to 25-year-olds extra support in an effort to stop reoffending.
Porirua district court service manager Renee Higginson regularly sees young defendants overwhelmed by the process.
"Their heart is beating, they're anxious, they're nodding, do you understand? 'Yes I understand' .. but they're not understanding," Higginson said.
The new pilot programme aims to change that by recognising the diverse needs of young offenders in the community, many of whom suffer from dyslexia, acquired brain injuries and foetal-alcohol spectrum disorder.
Judge John Walker, the Principal Youth Court Judge, led the development of the programme and says it will help to accommodate each offender's needs "to end up with hopefully a more effective response and a sense of fairness for everybody".
"Often they also come from a background of being exposed to trauma and abuse. Those challenges do not expire when they turn 18 and come into the adult court.
"We also know that for people in this age group the brain is not fully developed. Currently, we treat them as fully functioning adults when demonstrably they are not."
The trial will run for 12 months.
Every Friday, a specialist team will provide 18 to 25 year-olds with the full spectrum of wrap-around services including specialist probation officers, adolescent mental health services, alcohol and other drug screening, and links to community support.
The court will also drop legal jargon and use simplified language to help the young people understand the process.
The initiative already appears to be having an impact - just last week, five young people up on driving charges got a driving license.
"Because agencies in this community have stepped in, they've got underneath them, they've helped them to get their licenses and they've come to court, proud as punch, showing their drivers licenses," Higginson said.
The positive start sets the trial in good stead to be rolled out across the country.
Justice Minister Andrew Little said: "The more of that that can happen, the more we can stop people getting to prison, stop them offending, that's fewer victims of crime, that's safer communities and that's good for all of us".
A court committed to being part of the solution, not the problem.
