Reconstructing the role of the appropriate adult in England and Wales

Harriet Pierpoint*

*Awdur cyfatebol y gwaith hwn

    Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

    Crynodeb

    The definition of the role of the ‘appropriate adult’ for young suspects in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code of Practice C is ambiguous and contradictory. This article argues that the role has been socially constructed by the legislator, the courts, young people, the police and appropriate adults themselves. Following various recommendations to use volunteers as appropriate adults, this article revisits the nature of the role in light of a case study of a volunteer appropriate adult service. The results demonstrate that, in terms of volunteer practice, the role has been constructed to include elements of due process, welfare and crime prevention, but has to operate within the constraints of crime control and managerialism. Hence, this article concludes that the role of the appropriate adult should be reconstructed building on the volunteers’ welfare tendencies and that, although a number of cultural and practical obstacles would have to be overcome, he or she should be joined by a mandatory legal adviser to ensure that due process is respected.

    Iaith wreiddiolSaesneg
    Tudalennau (o-i)219-237
    Nifer y tudalennau19
    CyfnodolynCriminology and Criminal Justice
    Cyfrol6
    Rhif cyhoeddi2
    Dynodwyr Gwrthrych Digidol (DOIs)
    StatwsCyhoeddwyd - 2006

    Ôl bys

    Gweld gwybodaeth am bynciau ymchwil 'Reconstructing the role of the appropriate adult in England and Wales'. Gyda’i gilydd, maen nhw’n ffurfio ôl bys unigryw.

    Dyfynnu hyn