JUVENILE OFFENSE AND POLICE PROCEDURE: TECHNICAL ACTION OF THE MILITARY POLICE IN INCIDENTS INVOLVING JUVENILE OFFENDERS

Abstract

Juvenile offenders, due to the inherent peculiarities of their physical and mental development, receive differentiated treatment regarding the consequences of their criminal acts. Individuals who are minors under the age of criminal responsibility are not criminally liable under penal law; however, they are subject to measures and sanctions imposed by special legislation. The procedures for apprehended juvenile offenders differ from those for adults who have committed crimes. Hence the importance of the Military Police, an institution of visible policing that generally responds to flagrant offenses. It is the responsibility of the Military Police to carry out the appropriate procedures, obeying the guidelines and regulations established in the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA), in order to legitimize police action before the competent authorities. This work, entitled “Juvenile Offense and Police Procedure: Technical Action of the Military Police in Incidents Involving Juvenile Offenders,” will discuss issues concerning juvenile offenses committed by children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to discuss issues concerning the appropriate procedures to be used by the Military Police in incidents involving minors in conflict with the law. The methodology used was based on qualitative research, through the collection of theoretical and empirical data, which served as a basis for the better development of this study. Thus, we understand that the fact that a minor offender is considered legally incapable means that they cannot be criminally punished for their actions. However, they may suffer the legal consequences arising from the criminal acts they committed.