[REVISION HISTORY]

Argentina juvenile criminal reform faces judicial conflict

Updated 37 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-23 01:26 UTC → 2026-10-23 21:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Argentina’s implementation of Law 27.801, which reduces the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14, continues to trigger institutional and judicial conflict. While the law is active in Jujuy, Santa Fe, ~~and~~ San Luis, and Tucumán, its application remains suspended in the Province of Buenos Aires following a preventive order by Judge Marta Pascual, who cited “insufficient infrastructure, budget deficits, and the risk of overcrowding.” Recent judicial developments in Buenos Aires have intensified these tensions. Judge Laura De Marinis recently dismissed charges against a 14-year-old accused of attempted robbery, declaring the application of the new Juvenile Criminal Regime unconstitutional in that specific instance. De Marinis argued that applying the penal system to the minor would be “regressive” and “stigmatizing.” In response, Buenos Aires Justice Minister Gabino Tapia announced plans to request a jury trial against De Marinis, alleging she improperly relied on a repealed law. The conflict escalated when the Penal Chamber revoked De Marinis’s ruling and ordered her removal from the investigation. Simultaneously, the City government, led by Mayor Jorge Macri and Minister Tapia, initiated impeachment proceedings against her, seeking dismissal for alleged professional misconduct. In Buenos Aires, Judge Pascual has issued a 60-day preventive suspension of the law following a collective habeas corpus filed by the Federación Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo. This has sparked intense political backlash; members of La Libertad Avanza have called for Pascual’s impeachment, and the NGO Usina de Justicia has filed criminal complaints for alleged abuse of authority. Prosecutor Hernán Ceruti has appealed the suspension, arguing it violates the separation of powers. ~~Regional implementation continues elsewhere. Tucumán has officially implemented its new regime via Law 10011.~~

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.