Legal Measures Against Serious Crimes Committed by Children and Youth

Abstract

This academic article consists purposes were 1. to study legal measures for serious juvenile delinquency and 2. to analyze and recommend legal measures for serious juvenile delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is a problem that many countries around the world face. Although Thai law has established legal measures to support juvenile delinquency, there are still several limitations and problems that prevent legal measures from fully responding to societal sentiment. This academic article reviews literature related to the development of legal measures for serious juvenile delinquency, including textbooks, laws, research reports, journal articles, seminar documents, articles, and electronic books. The study found that 1) Thailand's legal measures regarding juvenile delinquency have been evolving and improving to align with the social context. The government agencies with direct responsibilities are the Juvenile and Family Court and the Department of Child Observation and Protection, Ministry of Justice. Despite widespread public calls for the government to review criminal laws, particularly lowering the age of criminal liability for children who commit serious crimes, this issue has been widely discussed in terms of law, human rights and crime resolution 2) Addressing juvenile delinquency in Thailand by amending the law to lower the age of juvenile delinquency may not always be a good option. Although lowering the age of juvenile delinquency may seem like an easy solution, it has potential long-term downsides and risks violating the international convention on the rights of the child. Balancing social protection and providing opportunities for children and youth to correct their behavior is crucial, rather than resorting to harsher penalties. Instead of lowering the age of juvenile delinquency, this academic article recommends legal measures addressing serious juvenile delinquency by amending laws and social measures to enhance their effectiveness.