Queensland's 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' regime has expanded again. Following amendments to the Youth Justice Act in April 2026, the scheme now applies to a substantially longer list of serious offences.
Under the scheme, children found guilty of certain serious offences face the same maximum penalties as adults. The latest expansion broadens the offences captured, with significant consequences for young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
The amendments add further offences to those already covered, increasing the number of charges for which a child may be sentenced to adult maximum penalties. For families, the practical effect is that matters which may once have been dealt with very differently now carry far more serious exposure.
When the stakes are this high, the value of early, experienced legal advice is hard to overstate. Decisions made in the earliest stages of a matter, including how a young person engages with police, can shape its entire course.
Call our 24-hour line on 07 3361 0222. Early advice can change the trajectory of a young person's matter.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. For the complete article, visit gnl.com.au.
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