# Italian legal reforms for minors and juvenile crime > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-minors-legal-reforms > Updated: 2026-08-22T13:45:47.000Z. Sources: 160. Developments: 7. In early July 2026, Italy enacted the “Liberi di scegliere” law, providing protection and aid to minors and adults up to age 25 leaving organized crime families. Concurrently, the government introduced an “anti-maranza” security package, which includes a statutory presumption (iuris tantum) that minors aged 14–18 possess the capacity to understand their actions, shifting the burden of proof to the defence. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has championed these reforms, which modify the penal code to facilitate investigations and address rising juvenile violence. The measures extend preventive actions, such as pre-trial detention and bans on aggregation, to this age group. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended the policy, citing public support and stating that the goal is to hold youths accountable while simultaneously addressing root causes through education, sport, and family support. Critics, including UNICEF, the Caritas network, and various NGOs, warn that the shift ignores scientific evidence regarding adolescent brain development and risks replacing rehabilitation with punishment. Experts have noted that juvenile detention facilities are already facing significant overcrowding, following a 50% increase in inmates since the earlier “Caivano” decree. Opponents argue that the presumption of capacity may violate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by failing to assess psychological maturity on a case-by-case basis. ## Claims - The reform does not lower the minimum age of criminal liability, which remains 14 years. (disputed by 12 sources) - The Italian government approved a bill lowering the criminal responsibility age to 14. (disputed by 5 sources) - The Italian Council of Ministers approved a draft law on 23 July 2026 that changes article 98 of the Penal Code concerning minor imputability. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The law presumes that minors aged 14‑18 have the capacity to understand and will at the time of an offence, unless the defence proves otherwise. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The law does not increase maximum penalties for minors; existing sentencing reductions for under‑18 offenders remain. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Many young Italians wrote to Prime Minister Meloni asking to end baby‑gang violence. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Eight out of ten surveyed youths support the government's anti‑baby‑gang measures. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Meloni says prevention and security are not opposite and the government works on causes such as school, sport, family support and job opportunities. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Democratic Party campaign warned that under the new policy even children could be sent to prison. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Italy approves bill to ease prosecution of minors The Italian government approved a bill to presume criminal capacity for minors aged 14 to 18, shifting the burden of proof from prosecutors to the defendants. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-approves-bill-to-ease-prosecution-of-minors ### 2026-08-03: Italian Prime Minister Meloni defends new law on youth crime and baby gangs Meloni says most youths back new law that holds 14‑18‑year‑olds criminally responsible, rejects separating prevention from security, and faces UNICEF criticism over the presumption of imputability. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-prime-minister-giorgia-meloni-pushes-new-law-against-youth-baby-gangs ### 2026-07-31: Italy moves to treat 14‑18‑year‑olds as adults in criminal cases Italy plans to reverse the presumption of capacity for 14‑18‑year‑olds, requiring judges to assess each case, sparking debate over brain development and overcrowded juvenile prisons. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-moves-to-treat-1418yearolds-as-adults-in-criminal-cases ### 2026-07-28: Italy adopts law presuming criminal responsibility for 14‑18‑year‑olds Italy's government passed a bill presuming criminal responsibility for 14‑18‑year‑olds, shifting proof to the defence, sparking criticism from Caritas, NGOs and experts who warn it undermines juvenile‑justice’s 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-debates-lowering-criminal-responsibility-age-to-14 ### 2026-07-25: Italy adopts law presuming criminal responsibility for 14‑18‑year‑olds Italy’s July 2026 law now presumes criminal responsibility for 14‑18‑year‑olds, shifting the burden of proof to the defence while keeping the age threshold and penalties unchanged. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-adopts-new-juvenile-justice-law-presuming-culpability-for-minors ### 2026-07-23: Italy lowers criminal responsibility age to 14 with new anti‑gang law Italy’s government approved a bill lowering the criminal responsibility age to 14, presuming guilt for 14‑18‑year‑olds unless proven otherwise, amid controversy over its punitive impact. 126 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cassinate-italy-teachers-investigated-over-alleged-abuse-of-under14-student ### 2026-07-17: Italy passes ‘Liberi di scegliere’ law to protect youths from mafia families Italy's Parliament enacted the ‘Liberi di scegliere’ law, granting protection, financial aid and social support to minors and young adults leaving mafia‑linked families, praised by PM Meloni as a key anti‑mafia 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-passes-liberi-di-scegliere-law-to-shield-youths-from-mafia-influence --- Cite as: Italian legal reforms for minors and juvenile crime. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-minors-legal-reforms