Focus on youth crime may be influencing bail decisions for children, Victorian judge says

Exclusive: supreme court judge says it is a cause for concern' if public policy is considered over individual merits of a case

A Victorian supreme court judge has raised concerns an increased focus on crime may be causing authorities to take a more conservative approach" when it comes to assessing bail suitability for children.

In a decision published earlier this month, supreme court judge Rita Incerti granted a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy bail after he had earlier been denied by a magistrate at Bendigo children's court.

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