NCJ Number
168977
Journal
European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 173-183
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This analysis of juvenile criminal law and reform in some central and eastern European countries focuses on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Abstract
Information is based on the author's collaboration with colleagues from these countries at an international conference. The discussion focuses on three core areas: type of legislation, authorities dealing with juvenile delinquency and scope of competence, sanctions for juveniles in various systems and the use of sanctions, and reforms recently undertaken. Regarding legislation, two general types of legislation are often used in dealing with juvenile delinquency: special legislation that governs the field and special provisions in the criminal legislation for adults. Only one of the countries (Slovenia) has enacted completely new legislation after the changes to the political system. In all of the countries the authorities dealing with juvenile delinquency cases are judicial bodies. Further, as regards forms of behavior sanctioned, criminal offenses specified in the criminal code and those proscribed in other statutes fall within the notion of juvenile delinquency. Regarding selected issues of substantive criminal law for juveniles, this discussion focuses on three issues: age groups of juveniles, provisions related to juveniles' responsibility, and types of sanctions and their use. Regarding reform in juvenile justice, each country is attempting to identify its own way of changing and adapting, depending on the existing legal solution, traditions, given legal culture, experiences, and the scope of the problems to be tackled. Reform directions in each of the countries are briefly addressed. 14 footnotes