Jab koi child khud law ke khilaf act kare – theft, assault, ya even serious offences – to system usse ordinary criminal ke jaise treat nahi karta. Juvenile justice ka approach punishment se zyada rehabilitation pe hota hai.
Key ideas:
- Age cut-off (like below 18) jiske neeche special treatment mandatory hai,
- Separate juvenile justice boards and child-friendly procedures,
- Focus on counselling, education, skill development, family reintegration,
- Institutionalisation last resort, and for limited periods.
Serious heinous offences ke cases me kuch countries ne 16–18 age bracket ke liye tougher stance adopt kiya hai, lekin even tab bhi full adult jail system me seedha throw karna generally avoid kiya jata hai. Courts child ka maturity, background, circumstances sab consider karte hain.
Labeling children as hardened criminals early life ke liye destructive ho sakta hai. Isliye system unhe “offender” se zyada “child in need of care and protection” lens se dekhne ki koshish karta hai.
Yeh balance easy nahi – victims ko bhi justice chahiye. But long-term social interest tabhi serve hota hai jab troubled children ko sirf lock-up nahi, growth ka real chance mile.