New panels have been set up to pioneer a different approach of dealing with first-time young offenders in Cumbria.
From this month, courts will be able to refer all young offenders, aged 10-17, who plead guilty and are convicted for the first time, to a youth offender panel - made up of two trained volunteers and one member of the local youth offending team
The panel will then work with the young person, their family, and wherever possible the victim of their crime, to draw up a contract of agreed activities to put right the harm done, and to prevent the teenager from re-offending.
County councillor John Mallinson, spokesman for care and social services, said: "The views of the victim will be taken into account by the panel when looking at forms of reparation.
"Young people need to understand that whenever a crime is committed, there are consequences.
In many cases a person suffers and there is a very real effect in the wider community."
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