Juvenile Laws at Germany
Germany has a distinct set of juvenile laws designed to address crimes committed by young people in a way that emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Here’s an overview of the key aspects of juvenile law in Germany:
⚖️ Age Groups Under German Juvenile Law
Children under 14
Not criminally responsible under German law.
If they commit an offense, social welfare services may intervene, but they are not tried or punished in court.
Juveniles aged 14–17
Tried under the Juvenile Courts Act (Jugendgerichtsgesetz - JGG).
Courts consider the offender’s maturity and aim to rehabilitate, not punish.
Sentencing can include community service, educational measures, or juvenile detention (max 10 years).
Young adults aged 18–20
May be tried under juvenile or adult criminal law, depending on their maturity.
Courts decide whether to apply juvenile law based on:
The nature of the crime.
Psychological maturity.
Life circumstances.
🚨 Types of Sanctions for Juveniles
Educational Measures (Erziehungsmaßregeln)
Counseling, community work, or mandatory training programs.
Disciplinary Measures (Zuchtmittel)
Warnings, work orders, or short-term juvenile custody (Jugendarrest, up to 4 weeks).
Juvenile Prison (Jugendstrafe)
Used for serious or repeated offenses.
Minimum 6 months, maximum 10 years (15 in very rare, extreme cases involving murder).
👨⚖️ Juvenile Court Process
Closed court sessions to protect the young offender’s privacy.
Social workers and youth court assistants are involved.
Emphasis on understanding the individual background, such as family situation, education, peer influence, etc.
🧠 Core Principles
Rehabilitation > Retribution
Personal development and reintegration into society
Preventing re-offending through supportive interventions
RELATED Blog
0 comments