(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and section 5, this Act applies to —
(a) a child in conflict with the law; and
(b) a person under paragraph (a) who attained the age of eighteen years before proceedings that were instituted against him or her, under this Act, have been concluded.
(2) The Criminal Code and the District Courts Act apply to a person under subsection (1), except in so far as this Act provides for different procedures in respect of that person.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Director of Public Prosecutions may issue a direction that this Act applies to a person who is alleged to have committed an offence and who, at the time of the alleged commission of the offence —
(a) was at least twelve years old but under the age of sixteen years;
(b) was over the age of eighteen years but under the age of twenty-one years;
(c) was over the age of eighteen years but is mentally handicapped or of unsound mind.
(4) A direction under subsection (3) may be issued if —
(a) where applicable, the person commits a further offence while serving a sentence involving a residential requirement imposed under this Act and after having reached the age of eighteen years; or
(b) in the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions, another circumstance merits the issuance of a direction under that subsection.