NCJ Number
59232
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 11-14
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
IN THE SOVIET UNION THE ADJUDICATION OF JUVENILE CASES OCCURS IN THE REGULAR COURTS AND IN SPECIAL JUVENILE COMMISSIONS WHICH MAY EXERCISE EXTENSIVE CONTROL OVER DELINQUENTS AND THEIR PARENTS.
Abstract
SOVIET LEGISLATION DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR A SEPARATE SYSTEM OF JUVENILE OR FAMILY COURTS, BUT JUVENILE CASES ARE CONDUCTED WITH SPECIAL SAFEGUARDS FOR THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS. SUCH CASES MUST ALWAYS BE HEARD WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF A DEFENSE ATTORNEY WHO IS GRANTED GREATER AUTHORITY THAN THE COUNSELS IN ADULT CASES. UNDER SOVIET LAW, PERSONS WHO ARE 16 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME ARE CLASSIFIED AS CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUT THEIR CASES MAY BE HEARD IN THE COURTS, OR IN THE JUVENILE COMMISSIONS. THE COMMISSIONS ARE ESTABLISHED UNDER LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND REGISTER YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. THEY EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND MAY SEND DELINQUENTS TO SPECIAL CAMPS. THEY APPLY DIFFERENT MEASURES TO PARENTS WHO HAVE MALICIOUSLY FAILED TO FULFILL THEIR PARENTAL OBLIGATIONS. THE PROCURATOR OF THE COMMISSION SUPERVISES THE LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST JUVENILES, AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATOR HELPS PARENTS IN THE REEDUCATION OF DELINQUENTS. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND FROM PARENTS AND SCHOOLS THE NECESSARY CONDITIONS FOR THE REEDUCATION OF JUVENILES. JUVENILE CASES IN THE COURTS ARE HANDLED BY A PANEL CONSISTING OF A REGULAR JUDGE AND TWO ASSESSORS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT. THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE PROVIDES THE JUDICIAL PERSONNEL WITH ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION AT REGULAR INTERVALS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).