China's top prosecutors are working on new guidelines for handling cases involving serious violent crimes committed by minors. This comes after two teenage boys were convicted of killing their classmate for money in Handan, Hebei province.
The new guidelines will focus on strengthening tiered intervention and correction for criminal and wrongful behavior exhibited by minors. China has long upheld the principle of "education first, punishment second" in handling juvenile offenses.
Procuratorial authorities are also intensifying efforts to crack down on adults who coerce, lure or instigate minors to engage in criminal activities. They are also ensuring that those who commit serious crimes against minors are severely punished in accordance with the law.
In 2024, procuratorial authorities approved the arrest of suspects in more than 43,000 cases involving crimes against minors and prosecuted over 55,000 such cases. They also sent specialists to intervene in investigations of more than 21,000 major and complex cases involving minors.
Procuratorial authorities have also actively engaged in public interest litigation to protect minors and safeguard their rights. They have focused on issues such as food safety around school campuses, minors' personal information security, and internet cafes admitting minors.
Prosecutors have also emphasized protecting the rights of juvenile offenders and ensuring they are not discriminated against when seeking education and employment. In one case, a man who was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year reprieve for robbery at age 16 struggled to find a job because his criminal record was improperly disclosed to employers. After an investigation, prosecutors found that local public security departments had failed to seal his criminal record. Authorities then ordered the departments to correct the mistake, and the man received a certificate of no criminal record and later found employment.
6 Comments
Donatello
“I support initiatives that help minors rehabilitate and successfully reintegrate into society after making grave mistakes.”
Raphael
“Cracking down on adults who manipulate minors is vital—this shows a commitment to protecting young people from exploitation.”
Leonardo
“Addressing complex cases with tiered intervention demonstrates a nuanced understanding of juvenile behavior.”
Michelangelo
“Protecting the rights of juvenile offenders while still holding them accountable strikes a much-needed balance.”
Raphael
“Taking stronger action against adults who incite minors is a crucial step in preventing further criminal activity among youth.”
Katchuka
“Are we really sure that lenient measures for juvenile offenders won’t encourage similar behavior in the future? It sounds risky.”