Trinidad and Tobago will be among the first in the English speaking Caribbean to offer a comprehensive juvenile court system that integrates a child rights approach towards children in conflict with the law. Through the support of the United States Government, a new juvenile court system took effect with the formal opening of two children’s courts in the north (Port of Spain), and south (Fyzabad) of Trinidad on March 6 and 7. 

The Children’s Court, established under the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Juvenile Court Project (JCP), will enable children in conflict with the law under 18 years old to access services centered on a restorative and rehabilitative justice approach.   

The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago Chargé d’Affaires, John McIntyre, told those attending the North Court launch that the event was a celebration of partnership between the United States Government, the Government and Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, the United Nations Development Programme, and other stakeholders who, through the JCP,  were “supporting a new paradigm relative to the treatment of children who come into contact with the justice system.” 

“The JCP has allowed for the revision of laws that direct a rehabilitative approach to child justice and has supported the inclusion of peer resolution. The investment in the infrastructure of new courts to address the unique needs of children and families speaks to the child-centered approach of the Project. As a result of lessons learned from the JCP, better data driven and problem-solving justice systems will continue to be designed in the Caribbean throughout the years to come,” he concluded.