Where a person is charged with offences committed before attaining 18 years of age, the complaints must be filed in the Children's Court regardless of the person's current age. The accused must be informed of the right to elect trial by the Supreme Court or District Court under s 19B. Sections 575 and 576 of the Criminal Code do not cure a defect in subject-matter jurisdiction — they apply only to territorial/venue jurisdiction. Proceedings in the District Court without proper election or transfer from the Children's Court are a nullity.
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