The District Court is considering different ways to deal with the growing number of young offenders with disabilities, who are going through the court system

Principal Youth Court Judge John Walker says they have been monitoring the
mounting evidence about the impact on young offenders of neuro and intellectual
disabilities, , mental illness and brain injuries.

He says these disabilities occur at much higher rate in those who appear in
court, than in the general population.

Judge Walker says if they know a defendant suffers from dyslexia or fetal
alcohol spectrum disorder, than the court needs to make sure they understand
the processes and bail obligations

He says they will now be asked to explain back to the court what has been
said to them.