Juvenile Laws at Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, an overseas collectivity of France, adheres to French national laws concerning juvenile justice, with specific local adaptations.
⚖️ Legal Framework
Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility: French law sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 10 years. This standard applies in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, meaning children under 10 cannot be held criminally responsible for their actions.
Juvenile Justice System: The Tribunal pour Enfants (Juvenile Court) in Saint Pierre, located at 14 rue Emile Sasco, is responsible for cases involving minors. This court addresses both the protection of minors in danger and the trial of minors who have committed offenses. Contact details are as follows:
🛡 Rights and Safeguards
Detention Facilities:The Centre Pénitentiaire de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is the sole penitentiary facility in the archipelago, located in Saint-Pierre, Constructed in 1970 and renovated in 2005, it has a capacity of 11 detainees, accommodating various categories of prisoners, including minors, The facility comprises two sections
Maison d’Arrêt:7 places for male detainees
Centre de Détention:4 places for male detainees
Due to its limited capacity, the facility's configuration adapts based on the detainee population, including provisions for women and minors Educational programs are offered in collaboration with the National Education system to support detainee rehabilitation
Corporal Punishment:As of July 2020, corporal punishment remains legal in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, including in homes, alternative care settings, day care, schools, and penal institutionsThe customary "right of correction" allows parents and educators to administer physical disciplineDespite attempts to legislate against this practice, such as the annulled Article 222 of the Equality and Citizenship Law in 2017, comprehensive prohibition has not been achievedNational efforts continue to promote non-violent forms of child-rearing and discipline
Recent Developments and Recommendation-
Legislative Efforts:In 2016, Article 222 of the Equality and Citizenship Law aimed to amend the Civil Code to ensure parental authority was exercised without violence, However, this amendment was annulled by the Constitutional Court in 2017 due to procedural issues, Ongoing efforts are being made to address this gap
International Recommendations:International bodies have recommended that France, including its territories like Saint Pierre and Miquelon, explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, These recommendations emphasize the need for legislative action to protect children's rights and promote non-violent disciplinary methods
In summary, while Saint Pierre and Miquelon follows French legal standards in juvenile justice, challenges remain in fully aligning with international norms, particularly concerning the prohibition of corporal punishment, Continued legislative and societal efforts are underway to enhance the protection and rights of minors in the region
RELATED Blog
0 comments