Learning outcomes of the curricular unit
Study of the situations in which minors are the agents of crimes - reflection upon the causes of juvenile delinquency and upon the way to solve this problem, analyzing the international and European trends, reflecting on the age of criminal responsibility, the importance of restorative justice and the concept of “education of the juvenile for the Law”; analysis of the Youth Justice Act (Lei Tutelar Educativa), the changes introduced by Act 4/2015 and reflection upon other proposals for amendments; analysis of the special law for youngs and proposals for amendments. Development of the following skills: research, critical analysis, reflection upon the problems, dialogue, argumentation and formulation of proposals.
Syllabus
The problem of juvenile criminality: causes; international and European trends in the treatment of juvenile delinquency; the distinction between the protection system, the justice system and the third way system: juvenile education for the Law; reflection on the problem of the age of criminal responsibility, confronting international recommendations and solutions of different legal systems; analysis of the Youth Justice Act (Lei Tutelar Educativa - Law nº 166/99) and of the changes introduced by Law nº4/2015: especially, the beginning of the process without dependence on the injured’s complaint, the provisory suspension of the process, the transition between life in educational centers and insertion in the society, the problem of legal height in the case of several internment measures; critical analysis of the legal regime for adult juveniles (DL 401/82) and reflection upon proposals for amendments.
