Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- The origins of childhood and the youth justice system -- New labour, new youth justice, new century -- The impact of international law -- Young people who offend -- Impact of criminalisation -- Young people, the youth court and the right to a fair trial -- The youth justice system and theories of punishment -- Conclusions.

When is it fair to hold young people criminally responsible? If young people lack the capacity to make a meaningful choice and to control their impulses, should they be held criminally culpable for their behaviour? In what ways is the immaturity of young offenders relevant to their blameworthiness? Should youth offending behaviour be proscribed by criminal law? These are just some of the questions asked in this thoughtful and provocative book. In this volume, Raymond Arthur explores international and historical evidence on how societies regulate criminal behaviour by young people, and undertakes a careful examination of the developmental capacities and processes that are relevant to young people's criminal choices.