Juvenile Justice

Innocenti summary of the publication

"This digest focuses on the situation of children and young
people under the age of 18 who come in contact with the justice
system as a result of being suspected or accused of committing
an offence. Its starting point is the moment of arrest. It goes
through to the time when a decision is made, within or outside
the formal justice system, on how they are dealt with , and looks
at the implications of sentencing options, with particular attention
to those involving deprivation of liberty. It also makes reference
to the prevention of juvenile offending and the social
reintegration of offenders, as well as to the special problem of
children incarcerated with their mothers.

Contents

Introduction
International Standards
Definitions and terminology
The rationale
Age of criminal responsibility
Status offences
Instrumental use of children for criminal activities

Trends in offences committed by juveniles
Are increasing numbers of juveniles committing offences?
Are increasingly serious crimes being committed by ever-younger
children?

Arrest and pre-trial disposition

The court and alternative procedures
Juvenile courts
Avoiding contact with the justice system
Due process guarantees in extra-judicial solutions

Deprivation of liberty as a sentence
Separation from adults
Children in prison with their mothers
Material and other conditions of detention
Disciplinary measures

Prevention and reintegration

Countries

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