When is it too late? Determining the age of criminal responsibility

Authors

  • Eva Aizpurúa González Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha Spain
  • Esther Fernández Molina Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/Boletin-criminologico.2013.v19i0.7977

Keywords:

juvenile justice, criminal responsibility, public opinion, age

Abstract

In contrast to the social values prevalent at the advent of juvenile justice, the reforms carried out during the last few decades have granted pre-eminence to the crime committed, reducing the importance of maturity in the determination of the criminal responsibility of minors. These modifications, the introduction of which has resulted in an increasing attribution of guilt, have been justified by claims that they were what society was demanding. This study aims to explore public opinion with regard to the minimum age at which criminal liability should be attributed. The results obtained show public support for undifferentiated treatment of older adolescents and at the same time an ambivalent opinion regarding the transfer of degrees of responsibility in the various areas.

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Author Biographies

Eva Aizpurúa González, Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

Becaria FPU en el Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Sus

principales líneas de investigación son: justicia juvenil y actitudes hacia el castigo de los menores infractores.

Esther Fernández Molina, Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

Profesora del Centro de Investigación en Criminología de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Sus

líneas de investigación principales son: justicia de menores y actitudes hacia el castigo juvenil.

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Published

2013-09-09

How to Cite

Aizpurúa González, E., & Fernández Molina, E. (2013). When is it too late? Determining the age of criminal responsibility. Boletín Criminológico, (19). https://doi.org/10.24310/Boletin-criminologico.2013.v19i0.7977