New Regulation on Juvenile Criminal Liability in Italy

The Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced a significant change to the law regarding the criminal liability of minors between the ages of 14 and 18. The proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers, reverses the burden of proof, assuming that individuals in this age group are criminally liable unless proven otherwise. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has prepared this regulation, which assumes that children between the ages of 14 and 18 can understand the consequences of their actions, unless proven otherwise.Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio stated that the amendment does not change the age of criminal responsibility and that the age limit of 14 is maintained, and that the penalties are not increased. Nordio recalled that in the current system, the criminal capacity of each child between 14 and 18 years old must be evaluated separately, and with the new regulation, the burden of proof will be reversed. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated in a video message on her social media account that the regulation aims to make minors who commit crimes pay for their actions.Meloni said, "Those who commit assaults, robberies, or damage public property, whether they are 15 or 16 years old, must face the consequences of their actions. This law targets those who use minors to commit crimes and young people who think they will not face any consequences." The bill must be approved by the Italian Parliament, both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, to come into effect.