Juvenile crime trends shift toward violence in Slovakia and Czech Republic

Recent incidents of juvenile violence in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have sparked discussions regarding criminal responsibility and changing crime patterns among minors.

In Slovakia, a 13-year-old student was involved in a fatal knife attack at a school in Staškova. Legal experts note that under current law, criminal responsibility typically begins at age 14. While there are debates regarding lowering the age of responsibility, statistics show that the share of juveniles in total crime has dropped significantly from 15 percent in 1989 to 3.8 percent today.

In the Czech Republic, data from the Supreme State Prosecutor’s office indicates a shift in juvenile delinquency. While theft has decreased, violent crimes such as assault and robbery have seen significant increases, rising by approximately 40 percent compared to the 2015–2019 period. New phenomena are also emerging, including ‘experiential violence’—where attackers mimic dangerous behaviors seen online for the thrill—and ‘pedohunting,’ involving the luring of sexual predators.

In the Czech Republic, individuals aged 15 and older are criminally responsible. Recent judicial outcomes for convicted minors have most frequently resulted in probation, followed by community service.