Appropriate adult

Appropriate adult is a defined term in the UK legal system for a volunteer from the local community. [http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational-policing/guidanceappadultscustody.pdf?view=Binary] Appropriate Adults were introduced as a policing reform in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as a result of the 1981 Brixton riot (1981).

The role is to accompany young people aged below 17, who otherwise would have no adult relations or friends, when they are detained in custody to explain the meaning of legal terms, offer counsel or comfort, give advice, contact relatives, ensure the offender is aware of his rights, and that the offender is receiving the care he or she is entitled to (clean cells with no adult offenders inside, for instance).

Appropriate adults are brought to police stations when unaccompanied young people are arrested. The custody suite will contact a local Youth Offending Team (which is in charge of the Appropriate Adult system for that area) to arrange for an appropriate adult to be available.

The request for an appropriate adult is often the first way in which Youth Offending Team's learn of a young persons offences or re-offences.

See also

*Brixton riot (1981)
*Timeline of children's rights in the United Kingdom

External links

* [http://www.appropriateadult.org.uk/Text/1112935027593-5487/About-Us] National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) Website