CULPRITS MOCKING PENALTIES

LEVEL three of the Southport Courthouse is full, with young people milling about dressed in the latest fashions, girls with baggy hoodies covering midriff tops and boys always wearing a cap.

Most have thinly rolled cigarettes in their hands or behind their ears.

They take turns piling into the lift to the ground floor so they can go outside to smoke.

They are young – young enough that most should be at school on a weekday.

Instead they are sitting in the waiting area, listening for their names to be called so they can face the Southport Children’s Court.

Their demeanour does not reflect the seriousness of their situation.

Instead they are laughing and joking with each other.

As each child leaves the courtroom they compare sentences, laughing at penalties that have been dished out.

This scene plays out twice a week when the juvenile justice call-over is held each Monday and Wednesday at Southport.

Previously it was held on one day but in recent weeks the Southport juvenile justice day was expanded to twice a week.

The Bulletin asked why the decision was made to increase the call-over to two days but both the Southport Courthouse and the Chief Magistrate declined to comment.