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Czech Ministry of Justice considers lowering criminal age to 13
The Czech Ministry of Justice is considering a proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 years. Minister of Justice Jeroným Tejc has indicated that a legislative amendment is being developed, with plans to present it as early as January or by summer of next year.
Supreme State Prosecutor Lenka Bradáčová noted that while youth crime rates are not increasing, the nature of the crimes is shifting from theft to more violent offenses, including murder. She attributed this trend to societal radicalization and insufficient mental health care. Bradáčová supports the age reduction to 13, noting that 13- and 14-year-olds participate in serious crimes at similar rates, but emphasized that any change must include reforms to the juvenile correctional system.
Currently, children under 15 in the Czech Republic cannot be criminally prosecuted, though courts can impose protective measures such as protective education, medical treatment, or probation officer supervision. Last year, protective education was applied in 29 cases.
Entities
Czech Republic · Jeroným Tejc · Lenka Bradáčová · Ministry of Justice
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Czech Ministry of Justice is considering lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13. www.echo24.cz · www.ceskenoviny.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Deník poll showed a majority of readers support making murder non-statutable (imprescriptible). www.denik.cz
- [● 2 SOURCES] Courts applied protective education to 29 children under 15 last year. www.echo24.cz · www.ceskenoviny.cz
- [● 2 SOURCES] Supreme State Prosecutor Lenka Bradáčová stated that youth crime is shifting from theft to violent crimes and murder. www.echo24.cz · www.ceskenoviny.cz
- [● 2 SOURCES] Minister Jeroným Tejc aims to present the legislative amendment by January or summer of next year. www.echo24.cz · www.ceskenoviny.cz