NCJ Number
165321
Date Published
1996
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Juvenile delinquency in Italy is discussed in terms of its patterns and trends and current legislation related to innovative aspects introduced in juvenile criminal proceedings.
Abstract
In recent years juvenile deviance appears to be constantly increasing. A total of 19,728 minors were reported to the legal authorities in 1986; the total for 1994 was 44,236. The distribution of types of offenses has remained stable; juvenile deviance has extended to increasingly large portions of the adolescent population. The number of youth under age 14 reported increased from 2,728 in 1986 to 9,739 in 1994. The number of youths taken to court has also increased considerably, as has the number of minors assigned to criminal and welfare educational institutions. Legislation in 1988 reformed juvenile criminal proceedings to consider minors people not only requiring protection and defense but also having their own subjective rights. Another essential responsibility is to protect the minor's personality and educational demands. The legislation also provides methods of accelerating the process to avoid disrupting the youth's education. The magistrate now has a role as an educator. Juvenile social services also have important roles. Tables