In Their Defence

No new parent expects their offspring's childhood to be tainted by arrest or conviction.

That only happens to other people's kids, right? Wrong. In this compelling book, written

by one of Britain's top experts in youth justice, Aika Stephenson reveals the

extraordinary cases she deals with daily. From the obviously vulnerable to the A-grade

student from a stable upbringing, Just for Kids Law, the campaigning charity co-founded

by Stephenson in 2007, has helped thousands of children and young people overcome the

difficulties they face.

Aika says: ‘Every day in my job is an adventure, a battle for justice, heart-breaking, and

a joy. But very few people truly understand the law that dictates the lives of our young

people, and I want to share that with the public – both the heart-warming successes and

the shocking failures of the system.'

From playground mischief to issues with immigration status, from housing to those

facing years behind bars for a crime their friend committed, this book lays bare what

really goes on behind the scenes, from the police station through to the young

offenders' institution and everything in between. It is an important and revelatory book

that confronts the issues that face all young people today.