What is the purpose of a disposition hearing in Youth Court?

The purpose of a disposition hearing in Youth Court primarily revolves around determining the appropriate sentence for a juvenile who has been found responsible for an offense. This phase takes place after a finding of responsibility and is focused on deciding the most suitable outcome for the youth involved.

During this hearing, the judge considers various factors, including the circumstances of the offense, the youth’s prior record, and recommendations from social workers or probation officers. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the decision made serves the best interest of the youth, promotes rehabilitation, and addresses the underlying issues that may have contributed to the delinquent behavior.

The other options reflect aspects of the court process that might be relevant at different stages—such as witness testimonies in establishing facts of the case, evaluating background information as part of predisposition investigations, or laying out legal principles involved in a case—but they do not represent the primary purpose of a disposition hearing, which is strictly concerned with sentence determination.