Between criminal liability and legal underage: perspectives of judicial professionals

Abstract

This study aims to examine the perceptions of professionals working in the judicial field regarding pre-trial detention of youths under 18 years of age. For that purpose, 17 professionals were interviewed. The data analysis showed that in the professionals’ view the measure of pre-trial detention can be a positive factor when the security of society is taken into account; however, it can be a negative factor when only the young offender is taken into account. Moreover, the measure of pre-trial detention seems to entail log-term negative consequences both for the youth and for society.